Police, fire officials seek info on Sandpoint Army Surplus fire
A Sandpoint Fire firefighter streams water onto the still smoldering fire at the Army Surplus store at Fifth and Oak.
Photo by CAROLINE LOBSINGER
SANDPOINT — In the wake of the Army Surplus store being destroyed by fire, Sandpoint police and fire officials are asking for the public's help with any information, photos and videos that may help them determine the cause of the blaze.
The fire was reported at about 10:15 p.m. on July 4 with a full response from Sandpoint and Selkirk fire departments as well as mutual aid from Northside and Sam Owen fire districts. However, despite those efforts, the iconic downtown building was completely gutted with some of the creosote-soaked old timbers inside the building still burning more than 12 hours later.
Sandpoint Police Chief Corey Coon and Sandpoint Fire Chief Gavin Gilcrease asked the public to call in to the departments with any information, photos or videos that might show anything as they begin an investigation into the fire's cause. The Idaho State Fire Marshal is expected to be in the community Monday to assist.
Because Fifth Avenue is a state highway, Sandpoint Mayor Jeremy Grimm said the city will be coordinating with the Idaho Transportation Department to manage traffic circulation until such time when normal traffic flow can resume.
It was expected that the roadway would be closed for the remainder of the day, July 5. Motorists were encouraged to take an alternate route and avoid the area, if possible.
“This incident will be challenging to the property owner, and our thoughts are with him and his family," Grimm said in a statement. "Beyond the loss of personal and business property, the resulting void left in our downtown will not be easily replaced. I cannot express enough my gratitude to the hardworking men and women of the Sandpoint fire and police departments, who protect and serve our community around the clock. On behalf of the city of Sandpoint, we thank all who responded to our need overnight. Finally, thank you to our residents and visitors who respected and followed directions, allowing our professionals to do their job during an intense situation.”