(Spirit Lake)– Fire Monday evening forced the evacuation of a lakes area motel.
Assistant Spirit Lake Fire Chief Joe Jennings, Senior says firefighters were called to the Northland Inn at the junction of Highways nine and 86 around 8:00 p.m.
Jennings says they knew right away they had their hands full when they saw a lot of smoke coming from the structure. He says the fire itself was on the south side of the building at the entryway to two rooms. Jennings says firefighters were able to quickly knock the fire down. He says the heaviest damage was in that area, with some smoke damage pretty much through the rest of the building.
A number of guests were in the motel when the fire broke out. They got out unharmed, but had to find another place to stay the night.
Dave Shipper of the State Fire Marshall’s Office determined the cause was a short in a timer that controls exterior lighting.
Shipper praised the quick response of firefighters, saying had it not been for that, the fire would have been much worse.
Spirit Lake firefighters were on the scene a little more than two hours.
