At approximately 10:59 AM on Wednesday, December 5, the Central Dakota Communications Center received a report of a fire at a commercial building on the 1600 block of Industrial Drive. 

The Bismarck Fire Department was dispatched to investigate.  The first arriving fire crew reported fire and smoke showing from a commercial vehicle maintenance shop located on the property.  The fire crew established command, and made contact with a company representative who reported that all occupants were evacuated.  The fire crews deployed hose lines and attacked the fire.  Additional fire units arrived on scene and assisted with water supply, and fire attack.  Once the fire was extinguished, fire crews conducted an overhaul operation to find and extinguish any smoldering materials. 

Eight fire department apparatus and 21 firefighters were dispatched to the scene.  Bismarck Police Department assisted with scene control.  Metro Area Ambulance was on scene to provide medical support. 

The building was occupied at the time of the fire.  There were no injuries to the building occupants and there were no injuries to first responders.  Employees of the company used a hand held fire extinguisher on the fire before the fire crews arrived on scene.  While this quick action did not extinguish the fire, it did help slow the fires growth.  There was extensive damage to one commercial vehicle, and limited fire damage to the interior of one of the maintenance bays of the structure.  The fire occurred when a butane torch malfunctioned as employees were working on a vehicle. The cause of this fire has been classified as accidental.

For more information visit www.bismarcknd.gov/fire.