GREAT FALLS — The building of the Choteau Acantha newspaper was hit by fire on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. There were no injuries reported.
The Choteau Volunteer Fire Department responded just after 2:30 a.m. to the structure fire at at 216 First Avenue North.
The newspaper said on Facebook that firefighters from Choteau and Fairfield kept the fire from spreading to homes on either side of the Acantha building, which is a one-floor cinderblock structure with a boiler heating system, but the fire heavily damaged the building.
Initial reports indicate the fire appeared to have started in the middle room of the building and then spread to the attic.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, nor is there yet an estimate of the amount of damage.
Melody and Jeff Martinsen, the owners of the Chouteau Acantha, said, "We are beyond thankful for the response of the Choteau firefighters, Teton County deputies, staff, friends and family. We are thankful to the Choteau American Legion Club employee who reported the fire, and we are deeply grateful that no one was injured in fighting the fire."
We will update you when we get more information.
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