POST FALLS — Since fire struck River Tech School of Performing Arts and Technology, Principal Dan Hegelund said that families have faced the loss head on. 

“It's easy for people to think the school’s gone,” Hegelund said. “We're not gone. River Tech is still here. Our families are still here, the staff are still here and the vision is here.” 

Notices to keep out are posted on access points to the building at 1687 E. Horsehaven Ave. and many second-floor windows are open for ventilation or broken after the fire.

Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Pete Holley said the second story roof collapsed. There was extensive damage to one end of the building and smoke damage throughout the structure.   

Holley called it “a big fire” that was full of void spaces that made it difficult to control. 

"There were a lot of spaces in the building for the fire to go and hide,” Holley said.

The structure housed the River Church congregation, Little Explorers Learning Academy and River Tech School. 

The words “Love one another” are visible in the cement of the sidewalk by the church.    

Hegelund said a parent meeting after the fire with 31 families gave him hope as the atmosphere was “positive and hopeful.” 

“It's obviously a tragedy and we’re heavily affected by it and we’ve shed many tears, however we’re not knocked out. We’re not ultimately discouraged. We’re planning for the resurrection of River Tech,” Hegelund said.  

The school is close to securing a location to finish out the school year and will return after spring break March 30. 

Churches or organizations with local school zoning with available space are asked to reach out at [email protected].   

Currently, 75 students are enrolled at the school, which focuses on performing arts training, technology education and faith-based learning for students in first grade through grade 12. 

“We're finishing out the year together and we'll be starting up again after summer,” Hegelund said. 

The school is restocking and some of the items lost will be reimbursed through insurance.

“We lost everything, Hegelund said. “It's a little bit chaotic; we were in the middle of a ‘Sound of Music’ production and absolutely all of our equipment, the mixers, the mics, the speakers, all of our costumes, all of our props that our students have worked on for months is all gone."

However, the show will go on and Hegelund said students are working on lines with the hopes they can borrow from other theater groups in the area to open the show in two months. 

“We're taking heart, there’s momentum. We're back on our feet and we’re taking the steps to get River Tech up and going again,” Hegelund said 

The fire investigation is being handled by Idaho State Fire Marshal's Office. A cause has not been released.

Triple Play Family Fun Park in Hayden is hosting a fundraiser for River Tech from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 26. Half of the proceeds go to the school's recovery. Fundraiser passes are $24 in advance or $26 at the door.

People can support the school by donating to www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/river-tech-post-fire-recovery.  

    Damage to the second story of the main structure at River Church in Post Falls is visible after a fire early morning Sunday in Post Falls. Kootenai County Fire and Rescue shared that the second story roof collapsed, there was extensive damage to one end of the building and smoke damage.

    River Tech School of Performing Arts and Technology has previously put on a production of "The Greatest Showman." Now the 75-student school located in Post Falls is hoping to still be able to perform its production of "The Sounds of Music" in two months and searching for a location for the 2026-2027 school year.
  

    A fire Sunday caused the second-story roof to collapse and extensive damage to one end of the building and smoke damage at The River Church at 1687 E. Horsehaven Ave., Post Falls.