Saturday, January 18, 2025
17.0°F

Fire officials investigate deadly blaze

Derrick Perkins Western News | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 1 month AGO
by Derrick Perkins Western News
| December 17, 2019 11:01 AM

A mobile home fire that left one person and seven dogs dead over the weekend remains under investigation by Libby fire officials.

About 24 firefighters from the Libby Volunteer Fire Department responded to the trailer park at 167 Kootenai Vista Road about 3:05 p.m., Dec. 15 for a report of a blaze. Arriving first responders launched aggressive interior attacks upon learning an individual may have been inside.

Firefighters found the victim’s body after trying to battle their way into the still burning home, Assistant Chief Scott Beagle said at the time. They are not releasing any additional information about the victim, fire officials said.

Thick smoke, occasionally punctuated by flames, billowed from the roof of the mobile home as crews brought the fire under control. Neighbors looked on as crews finished dousing the fire from the exterior shortly before nightfall.

Three water tenders, an engine and the department’s mobile command center were eventually brought to the scene. Multiple mask crews were needed for the blaze, Beagle said.

The cause of the fire remains unknown, but Fire Marshal Steve Lauer said the investigation has revealed several potential sources of ignition, including portable heaters, smoking materials — the victim was known to smoke in bed, he said — and candles.

“I don’t have a 100 percent answer yet, and I don’t know if I ever will,” Lauer said.

The fire began in the master bedroom, Lauer said, and the victim was found in the kitchen area. The home was not equipped with smoke alarms, he said.

Officials consider the mobile home a total loss.

No firefighters were injured in the blaze. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Libby Volunteer Ambulance Service also responded to the incident.

MORE FRONT-PAGE-SLIDER STORIES

Structure fire in Libby leaves one dead
Daily Inter-Lake | Updated 5 years, 1 month ago
One dead after structure fire on Kootenai Vista Road
The Western News | Updated 5 years, 1 month ago
Crews discover body while fighting house fire on Bald Eagle Road
The Western News | Updated 2 years, 11 months ago

ARTICLES BY DERRICK PERKINS WESTERN NEWS

October 27, 2019 2 a.m.

Relocated grizzly bear attacked biologist in 2018

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials stand by a decision to relocate a grizzly bear that attacked a biologist last year after it recently was caught trying to get into a barn south of Libby.

October 20, 2019 2 a.m.

Hemp facility in Libby expects to hire 120 workers

About 210 people, most from Lincoln County, have applied for jobs at Isotex Health since the hemp production company closed a deal to buy the old Stinger building in Libby on Sept. 26.

January 7, 2020 11:01 a.m.

County health officials to enforce state vape ban

Local enforcement of the state’s emergency, 120-day ban on the sale of flavored vaping products has fallen to the Lincoln County Health Department.