Libby car fire, possible arson under investigation
Luke Hollister Western News | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 years, 7 months AGO
A car “suspiciously” caught fire early Tuesday morning in the Three Corner Mobile Home Park trailer court in Libby. (Suzanne Resch/The Western News)
Michelle McMullen, owner of the car which caught fire, said it looks like someone doused it with oil. (Luke Hollister/The Western News)
The fire melted some of the rubber on the tire and burned the car's paint. Car owner Michelle McMullen said she can still smell smoke from the inside of the car.
A car “suspiciously” caught fire early Tuesday morning between 5 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. in the Three Corner Mobile Home Park trailer court in Libby, according to officials on the scene.
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy Kirk Kraft, investigator, said the owner of the vehicle was watching TV when they noticed flames showing on their home security monitor. The owner proceeded to call 911.
After observing the fire, Kraft concluded the incident to be “apparent person caused.” However, he could not determine how the fire started.
“We eliminated any mechanical or electrical causes,” he said. There were no wires or other sources of ignition.
Kraft is still investigating.
Assistant Chief/Fire Marshall Steve Lauer said the owner of the vehicle stopped the fire themselves.
It was mostly out by the time crews arrived, he said. Lauer requested law enforcement after noticing the fire appeared to be suspicious.
The fire caused smoke and heat damage as well as paint to burn, he said.
Heat damage melted the car’s inner fender well, probably costing $1,000 to $2,000 worth in repairs, he said.
ARTICLES BY LUKE HOLLISTER WESTERN NEWS
Interim Kootenai supervisor promotes forest resiliency
Kootenai National Forest’s temporary supervisor is on track to sell roughly 78 million board feet of timber this season, with plans to salvage burned timber from last year’s fires, but mostly, she wants to get back to cutting green trees.
Libby deer infected with wasting disease
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials recently found a white-tailed doe infected with Chronic Wasting Disease for the first time west of the Continental Divide, and the animal was found within the Libby city limits, according to a press release from the state agency.
Stimson Lumber reps discuss forest management
Stimson Lumber Co. representatives showed plans for a conservation easement and dispelled rumors of having a new mill in Libby at a meeting last week with the Society of American Foresters.