The state crime lab has just released the findings of the May fire that caused major damage to a downtown Great Falls building.
Great Falls Fire Rescue sent samples from six different areas within the Set Free Ministry Building on Sixth Street and Central Avenue downtown. The samples were sent to eliminate the possibility of ignitable liquids as a cause of the fire.
The tests failed to identify any ignitable liquid products in the samples.
According to Great Falls Fire Rescue, there is no indication the incident was a criminal act.
The investigation remains open, but officials maintain the origin of the fire was the computer room on the second floor. An ignition source is still undetermined at this time.
Great Falls Fire Rescue is urging anyone with more information on the fire to call the fire marshal at 727-8070.
In addition to destroying the home of Set Free Ministry, the downtown blaze displaced several businesses, including Public Drug and Mountains of Memories.
(Archives: May 24, 2009) A three alarm fire destroyed half of a city block at Sixth Street and Central Avenue in downtown Great Falls early Sunday morning. It houses the Set Free ministries and a Great Falls downtown landmark, the Public Drug shop.
Initial reports say the fire may have started just before midnight on the second floor of the four-story building. The flames engulfed the entire structure within an hour. There are no reports of injuries or anyone in the building as of Sunday evening.
Fire crews now have the blaze under control but have still not been able to enter the building yet. The cause is still unknown and an investigation will be underway as soon as firefighters are able to enter the structure.
Fire crews managed to keep the flames from spreading to the adjacent Hastings Apartments, which were evacuated. The Triple Crown Hotel was also evacuated. The Salvation Army and Red Cross are on the scene aiding emergency crews and displaced residents. The Great Falls Rescue Mission opened its doors to the four residents from the Set Free ministry, which owns the building and occupies most of the rooms and offices.
