MOSCOW, ID – UPDATE: “After further investigation of the structure fire which occurred on February 5, 2023 located in the 300 block of North Washington Street the probable cause has been determined to be a young child that was experimenting playing with a lighter and started a mattress on fire in the bedroom area. The Moscow Fire Department Fire Marshal and Fire Administration will be working with the family in regards to education and prevention.”
The Moscow Volunteer Fire Department, along with the Moscow Police Department, were dispatched to a reported structure fire in the 300 block of North Washington Street this afternoon at approximately 5:30 p.m. An apartment was heavily damaged but there were no injuries.
“The first engine arrived in 4 minutes. First arriving emergency personnel reported smoke showing from the 1st floor apartment of a 2 story 4 [unit] apartment building. Fire Department personnel began fire suppression efforts upon arrival. All units in the building and adjacent to the building were evacuated. The fire was contained to the 1st floor apartment. Once the fire department extinguished the fire the Moscow Fire Department Fire Marshal initiated the fire investigation into the origin and cause of the fire. At this time, it is believed the fire is to have originated in a bedroom area location. The investigation is ongoing,” Fire Chief Brian Nickerson says.
No injuries were reported. There were three people in the apartment at the time of the fire and several other people occupying other units in the building.
The apartment is considered to have suffered major damage and is uninhabitable. The remaining apartments were not impacted by the fire and the residents returned to their apartments.
The victims are being assisted by the American Red Cross.
