A home east of Whitefish was left unlivable by a Tuesday night fire.

Whitefish firefighters were dispatched to a chimney fire at 274 Haskill Crossing Road just before 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to Whitefish Fire Chief Joe Page

The fire turned into a full-blown structure fire and firefighters from Evergreen, Kalispell, and Columbia Falls fire departments helped extinguish the flames. Firefighters were at the scene until 3:30 a.m. Wednesday.

“There was extensive damage, but all occupants got out safely and all the dogs,” Page said.

The family found a place to stay for the night, Page said. He did not have an immediate damage estimate.

Page said he does not know if a chimney cleaning could have helped prevent this fire, but said that regular chimney cleanings are generally a good deterrent.

Page said the family had smoke detectors that helped alert them to the fire. Page pointed out that it is recommended that people change their smoke detector batteries in the spring and fall when Daylight Saving Time starts and stops. That means a battery change is due March 13.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or [email protected].