KTVQ

Posted: Dec 10, 2009 1:42 PM
Updated: Jan 15, 2010 11:35 AM

UPDATE: BILLINGS - The Billings Fire department has confirmed the cause of a fire at the Northern Hotel Thursday.  According to Assistant Fire Marshal Bill Tatum, the fire damaged the duct work connected to the kitchen hood system and caused minor smoke damage on the first floor.  Damages are extimated at approximately $7,000.  The property is insured.  One injury was reported.  A firefighter received a minor thermal burn while putting out the fire.  The firefighter was treated on the scene and released.  The cause of the fire is accidental.  A construction employee performing demolition work on the kitchen hood system using an oxygen propane torch accidentally ignited grease inside the duct work. 

PREVIOUS REPORT: BILLINGS - Fire fighters have extinguished a fire at the Northern Hotel in downtown Billings. Crews responded to the blaze at 1:30 p.m. Thursday. The Northern Hotel is currently under construction and Assistant Fire Chief Frank Odermann tells Q2 all of the workers inside the building at the time of the fire have been accounted for. One fire fighter suffered minor injuries. Odermann believes the cause may have been a result of welding or cutting in the kitchen area.

At around 1:30 p.m. firefighters were called to the hotel at First Avenue North and North Broadway where black smoke was seen billowing from the top several floors. Six engines and one ladder truck responded to the fire. The fire alarm and sprinklers had been disabled for construction purposes and they did not go off when the fire started. First Avenue North and North 27th are currently closed to traffic.

The hotel is currently under construction. Mike and Chris Nelson are renovating the building and plan to open it to the public next year. The Northern Hotel has 10 floors and 160 rooms.

A Q2 crew is on the scene and we'll have more information on KTVQ.com as it becomes available.

Northern Hotel: Broadcast Story

Northern Hotel: Special Report

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