KINGSTON — Since 1970, the downtown Kingston fire station protected residents against flames, smoke and medical duress. Fire trucks would rocket out of Station No. 82 into the North End to battle whatever emergencies had ignited, whether they were fire related or involved a cat being stuck in a tree.

In 2001, North Kitsap Fire & Rescue moved its equipment and firefighters to a new building on Miller Bay Road. The building on Highway 104 was used as storage for equipment for a while, but ultimately, the fire commissioners decided it would be better sell it.

The former fire station recently went on the market. It’s listed for $1.4 million, and zoned for commercial use, said John L. Scott associate broker Craig Steinlicht.

“Basically anything in the zoning code could go in that space,” he said.

“It’s been a very long time since that property was best suited for our needs,” said NKF&R public information officer Michéle Laboda.

While NKF&R was based out of the downtown station, its firefighters routinely ran into problems with the traffic flow headed to and from the Kingston ferry dock, exacerbating efforts to serve residents and business owners from Suquamish to Hansville. Emergency vehicles would sometimes get blocked by or caught in the ferry traffic, delaying crews during emergencies.

“We outgrew the location and the building,” said NKF&R Fire Chief Paul Nichol. “We were very grateful to be able to build a new facility.”

Nichol added that in addition to having problems outside the station with traffic, inside the station was uncomfortable as well, with cramped quarters and no air-conditioning.

“We spent quite a long time deliberating,” said Fire Commissioner Gillian Gregory, adding that ideas for the space had been discussed, including using the station for volunteer firefighters and equipment. The commissioners also talked about leasing the space, but in the end decided it would be best to sell the building and use the money gained for future projects.

“It’s listed at $1.4 million,” Gregory said. “That money goes into the budget for further capital.”

With numerous ideas and projects on the table for the fire district, the money will come in handy. There is also the upkeep and future purchases of equipment for NKF&R that this money could go toward, Gregory said.

As far as actually selling a fire station, Steinlicht said the property has been posted online for potential businesses that might be interested in the space, and there will be signs going up in the next few weeks.

“I assume that it would be a desirable piece of land for a business of some sort,” Nichol said.

“There are lots of good memories from that station,” Laboda said, adding that despite of all the problems, the firefighters made due with what they had to work with while there.