Page 13 - Flathead Beacon // 4.22.15

FLATHEADBEACON.COM NEWS Exposed Wiring
APRIL 22, 2015 | 13
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Caused Kalispell Restaurant Fire
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Fire at 406 Bar and Grill caused $50,000 worth of damage to the roof and interior of restaurant
By JUSTIN FRANZ of the Beacon
A roof fire at a downtown Kalispell restaurant last week was caused by im- proper handling of exposed electrical wiring, according to the Kalispell Fire Department.
Witnesses say that shortly after 6 p.m., April 14, the roof of 406 Bar and Grille on First Avenue West caught fire. The restaurant was quickly evacuated without incident as firefighters with the fire department arrived on scene.
Kalispell Fire Chief Dave Dedman said crews reported thick smokes and visible flames when they arrived.
After confirming everyone was out of the building, crews started an exterior offensive on the flames, and the fire was quickly controlled once the firefighters were able to gain access to the roof.
Damage, which includes the exterior roof and some interior damage, is esti- mated at about $50,000. There were no reported injuries and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The Evergreen Fire Department,
Firefighters investigate the roof at 406 Bar and Grille in downtown Kalispell. The roof caught fire on April 14, causing approximately $50,000 in damage.GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
Whitefish Fire Department, Kalispell Police Department, West Flathead EMS, Flathead Electric and NorthWestern Energy also responded and assisted with controlling the fire.
The 406 Bar and Grille has been open for less than two months and re- placed the North Bay Grille, which had been in that location for over a decade. The new restaurant is operated by Bri- an Scotti-Belli whose family also owns ScottiBelli’s and ScottiBelli’s Pizzeria in
Kalispell and ScottiBelli’s Acqua Pazza in Lakeside. The 406 Bar and Grill re- opened three days after the fire with a full bar and half the dining space. Owner Lorraine Scottibelli said it’s unclear how long it will take to reopen the rest of the facility but they are hopeful to be back up and running at full capacity within a few weeks.
“It’s a big project,” she said. “But it shouldn’t take too long.”
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Somers Salvage Yard Fire Sends
Smoke Across Valley
About 150 vehicles were damaged during the fire
By JUSTIN FRANZ of the Beacon
More than 150 used vehicles were damaged in a salvage yard fire near Somers on April 17 that attracted fire- fighters from across the valley.
The pall of smoke was visible for miles as firefighters from Somers, Ka- lispell, South Kalispell, Bigfork, Ever- green and Smith Valley all responded to the fire at A1 Salvage on Highway 82.
The fire started early in the after- noon and according to owner Les Gugler some salvage yard employees were con- ducting a controlled burn when a gust of wind sent it out of control.
The fire was put out by late Friday afternoon and as of Monday, the salvage yard employees were still trying to de- termine exactly how many vehicles were damaged.
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Firefighters from across the Flathead Valley respond to the massive fire at A1 Auto Enterprises near Somers on April 17. GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
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