Moody's Dirty Laundry fire damage extensive
Luke Hollister Western News | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 10 months AGO
A Libby volunteer firefighter watches smoke rise from Moody’s Dirty Laundry & Self-Service Dog Wash, Friday night in Libby. (Luke Hollister/The Western News)
Libby volunteer firefighters Bryan Thompson, left, and Scott Beagle help to put out a fire at Moody’s Dirty Laundry & Self-Service Dog Wash, Friday night in Libby. (Luke Hollister/The Western News)
Firefighters rush to put out a fire at Moody’s Dirty Laundry & Self-Service Dog Wash, Friday night in Libby. (Luke Hollister/The Western News)
Smoke rises from the roof of Moody’s Dirty Laundry & Self-Service Dog Wash from a fire, Friday night in Libby. (Luke Hollister/The Western News)
Fire crews chainsaw off parts of the roof while attempting to access a fire inside of Moody’s Dirty Laundry & Self-Service Dog Wash, Friday night in Libby. (Luke Hollister/The Western News)
Firefighters exit the inside of Moody’s Dirty Laundry & Self-Service Dog Wash, Friday night in Libby. Assistant Chief/Fire Marshall Steve Lauer said parts of the fire were “a little tougher getting to" than anticipated. (Luke Hollister/The Western News)
Fire crews attempt to extinguish a fire inside of Moody’s Dirty Laundry & Self-Service Dog Wash, Thursday night in Libby. (Luke Hollister/The Western News)
Fire crews tear off parts of the roof while attempting to access a fire inside of Moody’s Dirty Laundry & Self-Service Dog Wash, Friday night in Libby. (Luke Hollister/The Western News)
Fire crews tear off parts of the roof while attempting to access a fire inside of Moody’s Dirty Laundry & Self-Service Dog Wash, Friday night in Libby. (Luke Hollister/The Western News)
Jay Moody, Owner of Moody’s Dirty Laundry & Self-Service Dog Wash, watches as fire crews tear off parts of his roof while attempting to access the fire, Friday night in Libby. (Luke Hollister/The Western News)
A fire in Moody’s Dirty Laundry & Self-Service Dog Wash spread across the attic, requiring firefighters to tear parts of the roof off to locate and extinguish the flames, Thursday night in Libby.
Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal Steve Lauer said, on arrival, fire crews had an idea the source of the fire was in the attic, but they could not immediately find the seat of the fire.
There were a couple of different roof constructions, which compromised getting into the attic, which the fire had extended into, he said.
It was “a little tougher getting to that space then we were anticipating,” he said. The fire started in the building’s electrical utility room at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Based off of the size and conditions of the fire, crews made an “offensive attack,” he said. They went in from both the front and back, but visibility was compromised for inside crews.
By the time the second crew found the fire, it had already extended into the attic space, he said.
Firefighters then took to the roof, knocking the fire down more quickly.
There is significant damage to the roof and insurance may or may not end up making the building a total loss. Lauer estimated damages to cost somewhere between $100,000 to $150,000.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, he said.
Businesses connected to Moody’s Dirty Laundry which were also affected include Pinup Girls Salon and Blue Creek Trading Co.
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