Last night, at 9:58 p.m., the Williston Fire Department received a call reporting a structure fire that was visible from a window in the home on the 600 block of 4th Avenue West. Additionally, there was an initial indication of people who were still inside the house. The WFD responded with a 2nd Alarm after hearing about the victims. This includes members of the paid on-call staff as well as the response of three fire engines, a ladder truck, and others. To regulate traffic and secure the area, the City of Williston Police Department was also called.

At 10:02 PM, Engine 1 from Fire Station #1 was the first engine to arrive, and it saw smoke and flames coming from the outside. The crews started the fire suppression operations and searched the house. All people were found to have successfully left the building before WFD units arrived at the scene. EMS evaluated three people there, treated their minor injuries, and released them. At 10:10 PM, the fire was under control. The WFD Fire Prevention Division was called in to conduct an inquiry into the fire's cause and origin. The fire was officially declared entirely out and ready to be turned over to the Fire Prevention Division Investigators at 10:46 p.m.

Scott Haugen
Scott Haugen
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Williston Fire 1/24/23

With the help of the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities, Williams County/Williston Emergency Management, which had been called to the site, was able to help the impacted family find temporary alternative housing.

The WFD Incident Prevention Division is diligently looking into the start and cause of the fire, but it hasn't yet made its results public. The first units on the scene did observe a closed door dividing the fire room from the remainder of the house. Closing a door can dramatically reduce property loss, halt the spread of the fire, and give you more time to get away.

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