At approximately 4:42 PM on Wednesday, August 14, the Central Dakota Communications Center received a report of smoke in the gymnasium of Northridge Elementary School located at 1727 North 3rd Street. The Bismarck Fire Department was dispatched to investigate.
The first arriving fire crew reported a two story school building with nothing showing from the outside. The fire crew established command and made contact with construction workers on-site who reported black smoke in the gymnasium and that the building was evacuated. The fire crew conducted a scene size-up, and went in to investigate. Fire crews found black smoke and a small fire in a basement storage area that they were able to extinguish with a portable fire extinguisher. When the fire was extinguished, an overhaul operation was conducted to find any remaining hot spots. Once the school was ventilated, the building was handed over to the Bismarck Public School District.
The Bismarck Police Department assisted with scene control. Metro Area Ambulance was on scene to provide medical support. There were no injuries to any of the occupants. There were no injuries to first responders.
Fire damage was limited to the area of origin and smoke damage extended to neighboring rooms and the gymnasium. The area of origin was identified as materials that were left on a stovetop. The cause of the fire has been classified as accidental.