A 911 call at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday morning alerted Libby Volunteer fire fighters to a house fire at 1321 Main Avenue, with responders mobilizing in time to prevent the blaze from destroying the home of the O’Brien family, who were not at home at the time of the incident. The family’s two dogs were safely rescued by fire fighters.

Eighteen members of the volunteer fire department arrived on scene within minutes of the initial call and managed to immediately extinguish the flames before they could engulf the single-family home. Crews were on the scene for 45 minutes.

First assistant fire chief Steve Lauer said the damage was estimated at $8,000 and the fire was likely caused by the home’s pellet stove.

Photos by Bob Henline/The Western News.