Bonner Fire Suspicious in Nature

An early morning fire in Bonner has destroyed a building that dates back to the 1930’s that once housed a gymnasium, a restaurant, an antiques mall and most recently an apartment. The first call to 9-1-1 came in at about 6:15 this morning. I spoke with Assistant Fire Chief Brent Christofferson with Missoula Rural Fire after the blaze was contained this morning. That interview is attached.

Christofferson says the people renovating an apartment behind the building have been having trouble with vagrants, and the fire’s origin is suspicious in nature. He said Fire Department as well as Missoula County Sheriff’s Department officials are investigating at this time.