Polson Fire responds to two fires last week
EMILY MESSER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 months, 1 week AGO
City of Polson Fire Department responds to a building fire at Black Diamond Tattoo Studio in Polson on Wednesday, March 25. (Courtesy photo/Polson Fire Dept. Auxiliary)
The bench on the roof of the Cove Deli & Pizza caught fire on Thursday, March 26. (Courtesy photo/City of Polson Fire Department.)
Emily Messer joined the Lake County Leader in July of 2025 after earning a B.A. degree in Journalism from the University of Montana. Emily grew up in the rolling hills of southeast Missouri. She's lived in Montana since 2022 and honed her reporting craft through the UM J-School newspaper and internships at the RMEF Bugle Magazine and the Missoulian. At the Leader, she covers government, business, education, agriculture and community news. Contact Emily Messer at [email protected] or 406.883.4343 | April 2, 2026 12:00 AM
Black Diamond Tattoo building declared a total loss
In the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 25, the Polson Fire Department responded to a report of a possible burning building on Fourth Avenue East near the Lake County Courthouse.
Arriving units witnessed smoke and flames coming from the rear of the commercial building attached to Black Diamond Tattoo Studio, according to the fire department’s press release. The fire is believed to have started in the ceiling of the unoccupied unit next to Black Diamond Studio and then spread to the tattoo business.
Suppression efforts and overhaul operations continued until 4:30 a.m. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The building sustained heavy smoke damage on the interior and is considered a total loss.
The Polson Rural District was dispatched for mutual aid, and eight fire apparatus and 26 personnel responded to the scene. One minor injury was reported by a firefighter, who was treated by Polson Ambulance, the press release stated.
Black Diamond owner Tony Bond said it wasn’t a complete loss for his business, and most of his equipment is salvageable. Currently, his equipment is being restored from smoke damage.
Bond has signed a lease for Suite D at The Shoe, located at 840 Shoreline Dr. He said he hopes to be back tattooing within the next week or two.
Roof bench fire at the Cove Deli & Pizza
At approximately 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 26 the Polson Fire Department responded to another possible building fire, this time on Third Avenue West, near the Cove Deli & Pizza.
Upon arriving, units found smoke on the roof of the Cove. The fire originated from a bench located on the roof and was contained to a small area. Fire suppression efforts were swift, with the crews finishing by 9:20 a.m.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. The bench is a loss, but there was no structural damage, according to the Polson Fire Department press release.
Polson Rural District was dispatched for mutual aid, and no injuries were reported.
The bench on the roof of the Cove Deli & Pizza caught fire on Thursday, March 26. (Courtesy photo/City of Polson Fire Department.)ARTICLES BY EMILY MESSER
Looking Forward: A Note from Your New Editor
I would like to take this opportunity to officially introduce myself. My name is Emily Messer, and I am honored to be taking on the role of editor at the Lake County Leader.
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