Apartment Fire: UPDATE

UPDATE:

   The Weiser City Fire Department and Idaho State Fire Marshal's Office have determined the cause of an early, Thursday morning fire that broke out inside a second-story apartment located at 36 E. Idaho St. in downtown Weiser. Fire crews quickly contained the fire before it spread to other apartments or to other buildings on the block.

   Weiser City Fire Chief Kerry Nyce provided the following statement:

   "The cause of today's apartment fire is a range hood installation of inappropriate wattage of a light bulb, melted lens cover ignited combustible materials on stove top. Apartment No. 1 received extensive fire and heat damage. The other three apartments received smoke damage."

   Nyce said it is imperative to check wattage requirements/restrictions before installing traditional incandescent light bulbs into appliances, lighting fixtures, and other equipment, such as garage door openers.

Original story:

Thursday Morning Emergency: A fire broke out in an apartment located at 36 E. Idaho St. in downtown Weiser, next to the historic Knights of Pythias Lodge Hall (The Pythian Castle), early Thursday morning.

   Police and fire crews responded at approximately 6 a.m. Smoke could be seen billowing from the second story window of apartment No. 1, in the four-apartment complex. The Weiser Signal American office is located just two doors down from the site.

   Idaho St. was blocked off between State St. and E. First St., and traffic detoured, for about four hours. 

   Pythian Castle co-owner Dennis Cooper said his property sustained some smoke damage. No further details are available at this time.

   An investigation into the fire's cause will be ongoing for the next several days. Updates will be provided as information becomes available. Photo: Sheri Smit