An early morning fire in Columbia Falls remains under investigation as the main building and one outbuilding of Melby’s Home Interiors were destroyed by the blaze Sunday.

A call reporting the fire at the U.S. 2 storefront came to dispatch at 5:30 Sunday morning. Firefighters from Columbia Falls, Whitefish, Evergreen, Creston and Blankenship all arrived to help quell the fire.

Steve and Debbie Melby, owners of Melby’s, said the fire in the main building had claimed more than $1 million in merchandise. The two were taking a positive approach to the fire despite the loss they suffered.

“No lives were lost and no firefighters were hurt,” Steve said. “It was just a building. Buildings can be replaced. I’d rather we lose everything than have to call the family of an employee.”

No employees were in the business that early in the morning, Debbie said. Melby’s isn’t open on Sundays.

The fire appeared to start in the rear of the building, according to reports on scene, and then spread to the showroom and front of the building. A shed burnt down as well.

Efforts to quash smoldering embers continued into the afternoon Sunday. Firefighters used construction equipment to tear down the burned remains of the store while others kept a steady stream of water on it.

“Those carpets can burn forever,” Debbie Melby said. “We’re thankful the firefighters got here so quickly.”

A tent full of highly flammable carpets sitting next to the main building was untouched other than some smoke damage. A fence in the rear of the store was damaged, but Columbia Glass, which borders Melby’s, was undamaged. 

Melby’s Home Interiors has operated in Columbia Falls for 50 years and has done business from the location of Sunday’s fire for 10 years. Eastbound traffic on U.S. 2 was being routed on a detour down Hilltop Road for part of the day.

The owners plan to persevere.

“We plan to regroup tomorrow morning,” Steve said. “We plan to be in business Monday. Glacier Bank has lent us their conference room and we are getting our phones moved over there. Our insurance company responded right away. This could have been worse.”

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.