Fire destroys grain elevators in Craigmont

CRAIGMONT, Idaho — A large fire has destroyed an elevator and three grain bins in the tiny northern Idaho town of Craigmont, leading Lewis County commissioners to declare a state of emergency. The fire was reported at around 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the Hinrichs Trading Co. garbanzo bean elevator. Lewis County authorities say the fire spread to two Columbia Grain bins while a third was fully engulfed Sunday night and expected to be a total loss. Authorities evacuated several blocks around the fire and worked through the night to protect a nearby Columbia Grain office and storage building. School was canceled in Craigmont today and the Highland High School gymnasium was available for temporarily displaced families. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Craigmont has about 500 residents.