2-alarm fire displaces 17 residents

A two-alarm fire in a converted apartment building in Kalispell on Sunday night displaced 17 residents and two dogs, though no one was injured in the blaze.

The residents of the four-apartment building at 1 Third Ave. E. were evacuated and have since been placed at motels or with friends through the American Red Cross, said Kalispell Assistance Fire Chief Jessica Kinzer.

The blaze began with an accidental porch fire that started around 6:30 p.m., Kinzer said. The fire spread to the adjacent apartment, leaving it uninhabitable. The other units suffered significant smoke and water damage, according to Kinzer.

The Kalispell Fire Department received mutual aid from departments in Evergreen, South Kalispell, Whitefish, Smith Valley and West Valley. Kinzer estimated that 40 firefighters worked the scene.

Property owner Tara Norick bought the building in 2006. She said some of her tenants had lived there for over 15 years.

Norick got to the scene after a tenant called her, and stayed until almost midnight. She praised the coordination among first responders, but said the weather didn’t cooperate with their efforts to save the building.

“The winds were high and blowing the wrong direction, and the fire went into the eaves,” Norick said.

Insurance adjusters have examined the property and although they haven’t made a final determination, Norick expects it to be a total loss.

Norick said that although the residents have found temporary shelter, most didn’t have renter’s insurance. She was worried that other than material belongings, the long term tenants would lose the sense of community that they had built amongst themselves. Along with a single renter, three families called the building home.

“The families who live there got so close,” she said. “Housing is hard to find and they won’t be able to find anywhere near each other.”

Norick said watching the blaze reminded her of the fragility of life.

“It’s just tragic for the families that live there,” she said. “It made me think of how your life can change in an instant. We have to appreciate each day.”

Reporter Adrian Knowler can be reached at 758-4407 or aknowler@dailyinterlake.com.