Computers, radio equipment and training materials inside were destroyed by the flames.

The department’s main office, engine bay and maintenance shop were spared, Ruiz said.

The tribal Fire Department, which is located near Feather Falls Casino, isn’t staffed at night, he said. No one was hurt.

“We’re all OK,” the fire chief said. “We’re bummed about what happened. It’s almost like somebody coming in your house and ripping you off. You feel like you’ve been violated. That’s the way we feel, too. This is not supposed to happen in a fire station.”

A tribal enforcement officer patrolling the area discovered smoke rising from the back of the office building about 7:40 p.m. Tuesday, Ruiz said. The officer then saw flames in a heating and air-conditioning unit and grabbed a nearby fire extinguisher while notifying casino officials to call 9-1-1.

The firm compared the 1 Brattleboro Road lot, which could possibly be combined with a lot at 12 Church St., and the 23 Kringle Drive property.

The firm estimated the total project cost at 23 Kringle Drive would be $3,801,000, just $68,000 more than the total project cost at 1 Brattleboro Road and 12 Church St., which would be $3,733,000. However, the actual costs could vary significantly, as much as 30 percent more or less.

Originally, the committee had just been comparing the 1 Brattleboro Road property with the 23 Kringle Drive property. Land acquisition costs vary drastically, with the 1.28-acre Brattleboro Road lot costing $178,500 and the 5.62-acre Kringle Drive lot costing $709,000, once closing costs are factored in.

However, Bernardston Fire Chief Peter Shedd said that if the committee decided on the Brattleboro Road property, and still needed more land, Bernardston resident Frank “Bud” Foster would be willing to donate his property at 12 Church St. Foster confirmed this, though no decision has been made yet concerning the property, where Foster said he also rents space to two families.