Post Falls, Id — The Idaho State Fire Mashal’s Office ruled the fire that destroyed a Post Falls church and preschool was accidental.
The fire broke out at the River Church and Little Explorers preschool on Sunday, March 15th.
Investigators said there were three burn areas that they focused on. No evidence of accelerants was found but each burn area involved a natural gas appliance.
According to the Fire Marshal’s report, they found “significant fire damage in and around appliance control valves and pilot lights.”
Investigators found the natural gas regulator on the outside of the building had failed in the open position causing an over‑pressurization of the building’s gas system and connected appliances.
The regulator and meter will be further examined by a forensic engineering laboratory.
COPYRIGHT 2026 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
