MOSCOW, ID – Moscow firefighters responded to a structure fire Sunday morning in the 200 block of South Main Street that was traced to a rooftop heating and ventilation unit, according to Moscow Volunteer Fire & Ambulance.

The Moscow Fire Department was dispatched at approximately 8:31 a.m. Dec. 21, 2025. The first engine arrived on scene within four minutes. Initial reports from a passerby indicated black smoke and flames near the roofline, though the exact source of the fire was not visible from the ground. The fire was initially reported in the 400 block of South Main Street, but crews confirmed it was located in the 200 block.

Fire personnel laddered the building and located the fire in a rooftop HVAC unit. Crews also identified an active natural gas leak supplying the unit. When attempts to shut off the gas at the unit were unsuccessful, the natural gas supply was secured at the building’s main shutoff.

Firefighters extinguished the fire and conducted a thorough inspection for fire extension into the roof and the interior of the business. All levels of the building were checked, and no additional fire damage was found.

The fire is believed to have originated in the area of the rooftop HVAC unit and is considered accidental. Significant damage was reported to the HVAC unit and the surrounding roof area. The building was later turned back over to the occupants.

The Moscow Fire Department was assisted by the Moscow Police Department. Nearby businesses and apartments were evacuated as a precaution. No injuries to civilians or fire personnel were reported.