Kathleen Ellyn/Chieftain Firefighters cut a hole in the roof of the field house to access the attic.

Wallowa County Chieftain

Stop the presses! In typical Wallowa County fashion, one only needs to say they need something and the offerings begin pouring in.

Despite the devastating fire that destroyed the Enterprise High School (EHS) Field House this morning, taking all of the football equipment with it, the Outlaw Team may be suited up by Oct. 19 to take on Imbler.

The homecoming game is still canceled at this point, but there will be a homecoming dance and pep rally, according to Enterprise High School Office Manager Terri McCready.

The field house, which contained all of the football equipment and uniforms, was destroyed by fire this morning.

Both Enterprise and Joseph Fire Departments responded to the fire at approximately 7:30 a.m.

Marcie Teeney of Joseph reported the fire. Teeney had been working on the stands nearby, preparing for homecoming, when she saw the smoke.

Teeney reportedly gained access to the burning building and saw flames leaping up from behind the ice machine, but could not get near enough to unplug it.

“I just couldn’t do anything but call the fire department,” she said.

The building was fully engulfed by the time firefighters arrived, minutes after the 911 call.

“It was all old, heavy timber, the ceiling was plywood, and it had a metal roof. These all hampered efforts,” Karvosky said.

In order to fight the fire safely, heavy equipment provided by Johnny Gibson of Gibson Excavating of Joseph was brought in to take down the structure.

Karvosky said that the cause of the fire had been determined as electrical.

“It started behind the ice machine in the middle of the building and immediately spread to the attic area,” he said.

Insurance adjusters are expected soon.

Earlier today, school Superintendent Brad Royse, Principal Blake Carlsen and Wrestling Coach Troy Farwell joined Marcie Teeney to grimly watch their football season go up in smoke as firemen cut holes in the roof with chainsaws and suited up with breathing apparatus to enter the building. But by noon local businessman Greg Bales, parent of EHS football player Trent Bales, had called a fellow who knew a fellow and new uniforms were on the way.

“Bill Hall, a landowner in Joseph, used to work for Nike,” Bales said. “I called him and he called Nike and Nike has stepped up. They say they can have new uniforms to us by tomorrow.”

Replacing helmets, pads and other safety equipment remains to be sorted out.

“Some of those helmets cost $600-700,” Bales said.

Parents purchase new helmets with high safety ratings out of their own pocket, he said. “When it comes to your kid’s safety, you don’t consider the cost.”

Nevertheless, the significant cost may be hard to pay twice in one season.

Clarifications, schedule changes and more positive developments are expected as this story unfolds.