POCATELLO — Mike Williams’ decision to get an apple from a supermarket on Sunday night might have prevented a structure fire.

The Pocatello Fire Department battalion chief was returning to work after buying an apple at the downtown Ridley’s Family Market around 8 p.m. when he spotted smoke coming from the roof of a North Main Street automotive repair business.

Williams pulled over and looked through the windows of Karl’s Machine Shop on the 1300 block of North Main and saw smoke filling the building.

The business was closed and no employees were present, so Williams immediately reported the smoke and several fire trucks responded.

Firefighters gained access to the building and discovered a machine that cleans parts was overheating, generating the smoke, Williams said.

Firefighters turned off and cleaned out the machine and cleared out the smoke from the building.

The Fire Department remained on the scene for about 45 minutes and Williams said it appeared Karl’s Machine Shop would be able to resume usual operations.

It obviously could have ended differently had Williams not spotted the smoke.

Williams, who’s been with the Fire Department for nearly 30 years, said he always keeps his eyes open for potential emergencies while driving around the city.

That vigilance might have saved a building Sunday night.