VIDEO: A vacant former radio station was intentionally burned Friday morning as the Lewiston Fire Department wrapped up its final day of multiweek fire training exercises. Fire crews ignited the structure at 9 a.m. at the old Idavend Radio Station, located at Stewart Avenue and Thain Road. Deputy Fire Chief Richie Lucas said the training went according to plan after weeks of preparation. “It went well,” Lucas said. “A lot of preparation went into that, but I think it all went just fine.”
Within minutes of ignition, thick black smoke drifted across Thain Road, prompting some concern. Lucas said he monitored how the smoke would behave as the fire intensified. “Everybody’s focused on the flame, and I was like, ‘What’s this smoke going to do?’” he said. “We needed it to start burning hot and clean. Once it did, you saw it lift and go straight up.”
