Shop Fire in Lewiston Destroys Building at 11th Street Address
A shop building on the 1400 block of 11th Street in Lewiston was declared a total loss Friday after fire crews battled a structure fire that caused significant damage to the property and forced utility crews to respond for an electrical hazard.
The Lewiston Fire Department arrived within two minutes of the initial dispatch call to find the building fully involved. Firefighters immediately launched an aggressive offensive attack and knocked down the bulk of the fire shortly after their arrival.
Backhoe Called In to Access Hidden Hot Spots
Structural damage to the building complicated complete extinguishment efforts. City of Lewiston crews brought in a backhoe to tear away tin roofing material, giving firefighters access to smoldering hot spots underneath the debris. A vehicle parked adjacent to the structure sustained heat damage during the incident.
An overhead power line serving the residence burned through and fell to the ground during the fire. Avista utility crews responded to make the downed line safe and restore power to the property after the blaze was fully extinguished.
No injuries were reported among civilians or fire personnel.
Mutual Aid Canceled After Rapid Knockdown
The Lewiston Fire Department deployed three engines, three ambulances, and two chief officers to the scene. Automatic mutual aid was initially requested from Clarkston Fire, Asotin County Fire District No. 1, and Wheatland Fire — but all mutual aid units were stood down before arrival after Lewiston crews quickly gained control of the blaze.
The fast response and rapid knockdown helped prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring structures, though the shop building itself was not salvageable.
The cause of the fire had not been publicly released as of Saturday morning. Lewiston Fire Department officials have not yet announced whether an investigation is ongoing or whether the origin has been determined.
What Comes Next
The Lewiston Fire Department is expected to release further information regarding the fire’s cause and any additional damage assessment in the coming days. Property owners will work with insurers to assess the extent of losses to the building and the adjacent vehicle. Avista utility crews completed restoration of power to the residence following the incident.
Lewiston public safety teams have remained active in recent weeks. A power outage affected more than 1,100 Lewiston customers earlier this week, and the Idaho State Police has been seeking information related to a collision involving a Lewiston patrol vehicle. Residents with information relevant to Friday’s fire are encouraged to contact the Lewiston Fire Department directly.