KIVITV.COM | Boise. News, Breaking News, Weather and Sports-Three-Alarm Fire Destroys Caldwell Building

Three-Alarm Fire Destroys Caldwell Building

CALDWELL, IDAHO --

Fire crews from Caldwell, Nampa and Middleton and Star are on the scene of a three-alarm structure fire. 

The fire broke out at old Scott's Cold Storage on the 300 block of Main Street, near Simplot Boulevard at about 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Fire crews say the building was a cold storage facility that was scheduled to be torn down.  Demolition crews were inside working when the blaze broke out. 

"I just heard my co-workers yelling my name and I looked out into the hallways and it was pitchblack, so I ran out of the building," one worker told Today's 6 News.

Firefighters say the salvage crew was using welding torches to remove a part of the roof, and that's what they believe started the fire. 

"Somehow their slag or sparks got into something combustable," said Nampa Deputy Fire Chief Doug Strosnider. 

Workers tried to get the fire out themselves, but called 911 when it got out of control.

The fire produced huge plumes of thick black smoke that could be seen from as far away as Wilder and Boise.  Several people stopped by the scene on their lunch break to watch.

"I was in Nampa, but I drove out to see the commotion.  It's intense," an on-looker said.

The fire finally appeared to die out just after 5:00 p.m. 

Firefighters say they will keep streets surrounding the building closed because there is some concern that the building may collapse.