Investigator: Pocatello fire was intentional

The Pocatello apartment fire that occurred early Wednesday morning was intentional, a fire investigator said.

Andy Holmes, who is looking into the blaze that ignited between 5 to 5:30 a.m. at 1070 McKinley Ave., said although it was intentional, he doesn’t have an official cause and is still gathering evidence.

A woman who lives downstairs from the fire told Local News 8 that squatters frequent the place where the fire started and suspects the fire was drug-related, which Holmes would not confirm.

Three units were evacuated.

One of them was the home of 84-year-old Frank Contreras, who is confined to a wheelchair. Authorities had to break down his door to get him out.

The public transit service showed up with a bus to keep evacuees warm.

No one was hurt in the fire.

We’ll update this page with more details soon.