The Alpine Fire Department responded to a warehouse fire on Thursday, March 3.
Alpine Fire Chief Michael Vogt said the report of a structure fire at Teton Truss, located at 108576 US Highway 89, was called in at 12:25 p.m. Upon arrival crews found smoke exhausting through the eaves and window openings in the overhead doors. After entering the building, firefighters found the fire located in the back corner of the building.
Chief Vogt stated that the fire was knocked down with a 1 3/4 preconnected hose line. However the fire could not be fully extinguished due to a propane bottle that had ignited. Contact was made to the bottle and was shut off and removed from the building. An overhead door was then opened, releasing heat and smoke.
The Thayne Volunteer Fire Department was then called in to assist with the overhaul to remove ceiling and insulation and to find hot spots using a thermal imager. According to Chief Vogt, crews opened outside metal siding and used openings from melted fiberglass to visually see and apply water to the attic space which was full of blown in insulation. Smoldering pallets of insulation were removed to the outside of the building.
The building and equipment inside had extensive damage due to the high heat. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
As a safety reminder, Chief Vogt reminds residents to keep combustibles a safe distance from a heat source and to have working smoke detectors.
“Alpine Fire would like to express our appreciation to Thayne Fire Department and Star Valley Health for the assistance,” stated Chief Vogt. “With the low rate of volunteerism, we all must work together. If you have any interest in becoming involved as a volunteer, please contact the Fire Department in your area. We sure could use the help.”