Fire marshal concludes investigation into fire at Blair Place Apartments
JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) - UPDATE 11/17/21: Fire Marshal Kathy Clay has finished the investigation into the fire at
Blair Place Apartments which occurred Sunday morning.
“This was an accidental fire,” Clay said. “The most probable cause of the fire was the LPG gas grill.”
Clay said many other factors were ruled out through the investigation process.
She thanks the community for the reports and videos received after the event, which all proved helpful in the investigation. Clay also thanks Grand Teton National Park Supervisory Park Ranger Jim Warren for his assistance with the investigation.
This is the third gas grill fire in Teton County this year. Clay reminds community members to never leave a lit grill; to keep it away from combustible items, walls, and overhangs; and to completely turn off the knobs and the gas tank after every use. For more information on gas grill safety, go to the Jackson Hole Fire/EMS website.
UPDATE 5:20 p.m. The investigation continues into the fire that occurred at the Blair Place Apartments on Sunday at approximately 10:30 a.m.
Teton County Fire Marshal Kathy Clay is reaching out to the community to ask for any further information that community members may have seen or documented prior to the start of the fire.
“An investigation into the cause of a fire is similar to putting a puzzle together,” Clay said. “We are still missing a few pieces of the puzzle and hope that someone might have heard or seen something before the fire started.”
If you have any information, photos or videos of events that occurred in the area of Blair Place Apartments Building 245 around the start of the fire, send it to blairfire@tetoncountywy.gov.
ORIGINAL: A fire at a Jackson apartment complex caused extensive damage to several apartments.
Jackson Hole Fire/EMS were called to reports of a structure fire at the Blair Place Apartment Complex at 10:40 a.m. on Sunday.
Upon arrival, first responders observed flames coming from the third floor of apartment building 245.
Firefighters were able to successfully control the fire after arriving on the scene. Battalion Chief Mike Moyer says the fire was contained to the third floor and roof, causing fire damage to two apartments.
Other units on the first and second floor experienced water damage.
The fire alarm and sprinkler systems were activated and responsible for effectively alerting residents of the 14-unit building and for helping to control the fire.
“This is a good reminder to make sure your fire alarms and sprinkler systems are in working condition because they do make a difference,” Moyer said.
All residents were able to evacuate without injury and several pets were able to be evacuated; however, two pet birds did perish in the fire.
Residents will not be able to return to their apartments at least through Sunday as the fire department conducts its investigation and property managers assess the damage to fire alarm and suppression systems. Residents who were displaced were provided housing at a local hotel through Teton County Victim Services.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Jackson Hole Fire/EMS personnel will remain on the scene to monitor the building.
Approximately 40 firefighters responded from stations in Jackson, Adams Canyon, Hoback, Wilson, Teton Village Road, as well as the Teton Village Fire District and Teton County Emergency Management. The Jackson Police Department assisted with evacuations and traffic control.
If you were impacted by this fire and need of assistance, call the American Red Cross at 1-800-RedCross.
