Under a hail of fire
Photos by CHANSE WATSON/ A firefighter with the Mullan Volunteer Fire Department sprays down the trailer where the fire began.
SCSO Captain Jeremy Groves inspects and catalogs several firearms that were burned up in the fire. Ammunition (both whole and exploded) can also be seen scattered about the ground.
In addition to the trailers and wooden shack, the wind-fanned flames spread to a nearby flatbed trailer and a power pole. Firefighters spray the pole (not pictured) to keep the flames from moving up it.
Firefighters with SCFD No.1 and Mullan Volunteer work to limit the damage to the trailer next to the one that initially caught fire.
The fire smolders inside the first living trailer where the fire is believed to have originated.
SCFD No.1 firefighters Daniel Kearney and Cyle Hanan pull on the roof of the second living trailer to access the fire that had spread to it.
A wide shot of the affected area in Mullan. The destroyed living trailer and pop-up tent trailer can be seen on the right as crews attempt to salvage the living trailer on the left.
MULLAN – As if fighting fires isn’t hard enough, right?
When fire crews were toned out to a structure fire on Mill Rd. in Mullan around noon on Monday, they probably weren’t planning on dodging random projectiles in addition to putting out a fire.
That was the case though when members of the Mullan Volunteer Fire Department and Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office initially arrived to the sight of a trailer home spouting flames from its westward facing long-side.
As first responders attempted to set up and fight the fire though, they were greeted with sporadic “gunshots” as firearm ammunition of various calibers began to cook off due to the extreme heat.
MVFD Chief Steve Trogden stated that since most of the ammunition was being stored and not loaded into the several firearms recovered from the scene, the real threat to those nearby was more from shrapnel as the shells exploded rather than the actual bullets.
Speaking of shrapnel, the only reported injury as a result of this incident was to Sheriff Mike Gunderson, who received a minor cut on his neck from one of the flying pieces of metal. No one was in the trailer at the time of ignition and the fire was called in by the trailers occupant, who was coming home for his lunch break.
Shortly after MVFD’s initial response and establishment of a perimeter, fire crews from Shoshone County Fire District No. 1 arrived from Osburn to assist in suppression efforts. Due to the proximity of other structures to the point of origin and an eastward blowing wind, the fire managed to spread to several adjacent structures and objects such as a wooden shack, a flat bed trailer, several power poles, a pop-up tent trailer and another full size living trailer similar in build to the first.
By roughly 1:30 p.m., crews had contained to the fire to the aforementioned structures and turned their efforts to saving the second trailer as much as they could. This second trailer did end up receiving extensive fire damage as the flames has crept into the ceiling of the structure.
The living trailer where the fire originated and the nearby wooden shack have been declared total losses.
Due to the wind, Idaho Department of Lands personnel were called to watch the northern hillside for wildfire activity.
Avista employees were also on scene to manage the power flow going to the trailer area and the affected power poles.
The cause of the fire is undetermined as of Tuesday afternoon.
The Idaho State Fire Marshal’s Office posted on social media Tuesday that “an investigator...is on his way to assist in determining the origin and cause of this fire.”
Chief Trogden said he was pleased with his team’s response to the fire and was thankful for the assistance given from other agencies.
“A big thank you to Shoshone County Fire District 1, Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office, Austin Buddenberg, Kristy Dykes, Melissa Valley, Merri Baskett, DG&S and all of the other volunteers that helped out on the fire today,” MVFD stated on Facebook. “Just wanted to point out to the public that when we are on an emergency call (this includes other emergency personnel as well) to please stay back away from the scene to prevent injuries to themselves or others. Also please do not attempt to drive over the fire hoses. Also thanks to Zanetti Brothers for the use of their track hoe.”
SCFD No. 1 firefighter Victor Malsom was also pleased with the efforts of both crews.
“MVFD’s rapid response in establishing a safe defensive perimeter, coordination, and fire attack allowed for a successful fire attack and prevented further spread,” he said. “We (SCFD No.1) are grateful for the relationship our two departments have with one another in allowing us to work as a team in order to provide the best possible service to our residents.”