Arson at Old Lolo School Under Investigation by Fire Officials

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - Early Friday morning, a call came in to 9-1-1 about a fire at the old Lolo School on Highway 93.

I spoke with Missoula Rural Fire Battalion Chief Ron Lubke about the fire that was deliberately set.

Investigation Underway on Arson Fire at the Old Lolo School

“At about 2:15 a.m. Friday morning, the first of November, we received a report of a structure fire at the old Lolo school complex,” began Chief Lubke.” The first engine arrived in less than five minutes from the time the call came in, and initially believed they had two separate fires in separate buildings. One fire was located inside one building and was able to be quickly extinguished. The second building, it was determined, did not have a fire, but smoke had drifted from the first fire into the second building.”

Chief Lubke added details about what the witness told 9-1-1 at the time of the call.

Chief Lubke Said the Witness said They Heard Laughter Coming From the Scene

“The person who called the fire in happened to be walking in the area and heard voices and laughing, and then saw and smelled the smoke shortly afterward,” he said. “It may have been vandalism. It’s kind of early to say, though we don't know for sure if it was a legitimate attempt to start a serious fire, or if it was just kids being how kids are.”

Chief Lubke said the investigation is underway by two separate agencies.

“Right now the fire is under investigation by our Deputy Fire Marshals and the Missoula County Sheriff's Office,” he said. “It is believed to have been intentionally started. I can't give a lot of details on that right now, because the case is still under an active investigation, and we are definitely looking if anybody from the public has any information about that to please contact the Missoula County Sheriff's Office and provide that information to them.”

I asked Lubke about the average cost for a response by Missoula Rural Fire out in Lolo.

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Charges Could Include Felony Arson and Criminal Endangerment

“Just for a very basic response, probably in the $5,000 to $12,000 range, that also would include mutual aid we received,” he said. “We had one engine from Missoula City Fire and a unit from Florence Fire that also responded on mutual aid to assist us. We had three engines a ladder truck and two command units. That’s 18 firefighters in total. So for only being there for a few hours, it could easily get into the multiple thousands of dollars.”

Chief Lubke said charges against those responsible could include felony arson, criminal endangerment, vandalism as well as being held responsible for the cost of fighting the fire and damage to the school buildings.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office at 406-258-4810.