Weekend Fires Ravage Harrison Avenue in Butte

Unfortunately, Butte has had more than it's fair share of fires over the course of her history.  The Uptown landscape has been drastically changed over the years from the J.C. Penney Building and Medical Arts Building fires in the 1970 to the Irish Times and the M&M fires in more recent times.

Even across the street from the M&M, where the new Northwestern Energy building sits, is the site where the old Sportsman's Bar once stood.  It, too, in a separate incident, burned to the ground.

Fires seem to be haunting Butte in present time as well.  Remember a few years back when a series of arson fires were set near the old Royal Motel , now the site of the new Tractor Supply Company store and one about a mile further south on Easy Street?

The fire bug apparently is back.  Over the weekend, a pair of suspicious fires on the 1600 and 1700 block of Harrison Avenue broke out, again leaving residents and business owners nervous.  Late Friday evening a fire was set at Real Deals on the 1700 block and on late Saturday crews responded to a fire just a block north.

Officials continue to investigate both fires.

Once again our local fire crews are to be commended for their quick response and containment of these fires.  Job well done, crews.