Wind takes down manor chimney, cuts power lines

A trail of wreckage lies across East Street in Colfax, as last Thursday’s high winds took down this brick encased duct on the four-story St. Ignatius building, pictured above. Bricks and debris fell across South East Street and hit the power line which broke at several locations. No poles were destroyed. Pictured is a flame caused by a live broken wire two blocks down the hill from the manor building. The live wire shot out sparks and flames as the wind blew it into the sidewalk and grass in this yard.

Power was cut out to the south hill, and the crash caused a power blip in most sections of town. Colfax fire crews and police blocked off the area while Avista crews shut down power and repaired the broken lines.

The chimney like structure had been secured to the manor by a series of metal straps which also hit the street and power lines. The St. Ignatius building has been out of use for several years and is now owned by a California businessman.

The National Weather Service reported wind speeds reached more than 50 miles per hour April 8, causing damage all over Whitman County.

Wind also snapped a power line on the Green Hollow Road and damaged the roof of Larry and Di Brink’s barn at Dusty.