The smouldering debris in the Hedderick’s building reignited on 7/24.
7/26/17 – Williston Herald at Plains Reporter shopper – “On replay” / Hedderich building burns again, 2 weeks after first blaze (no link available)– After the initial fire on July 10, the landmark building reignited on July 24.
The second blaze appears to have started in a corner of the second floor, according to the assistant chief of the Williston Fire Department. Two days earlier, work crews had started removing debris. The assistant chief said that hot spots can linger for weeks after a major fire. It is possible the debris removal exposed some hot spots to fresh air which could have in turn reignited the debris.
The current building was constructed in either 1917 or 1918. It was used as a department store, Hedderich’s, until 1988. At that point, a medical doctor in town turned the building into a combination museum and antique store.
Many of the artifacts on the first floor are expected to be salvaged.
The view from the exterior of the building shows the roof collapsed while the second floor is intact; notice the charred 2x4s which are visible. That means there is a lot of material compacted on the top floor. Stirring that could cause the re-ignition as described by the assistant chief.
My pictures taken on 7/28/17.