The Libby Volunteer Fire Department put out a structure fire at a residence located in the Evergreen Mobile Home Park on Pioneer Road late Monday afternoon.

The lone resident of the home - a wheelchair-bound man - was not home at the time, but firefighters didn’t know that until they searched the burning and smoke-filled home.

“We were in panic mode for a bit before we determined the man was not inside the home,” LFVD First Assistant Fire Chief Scott Beagle said. “When we arrived, the structure was fully engulfed and a police officer and I broke down the front door before heavy smoke and fire pushed us back. Once we got in through the back we searched it twice before determining no one was inside.”

Beagle said firefighters got a quick knockdown on the fire. He also said one fireman was checked by EMS of the Libby Volunteer Ambulance for overheating and smoke.

Neighbors of the man said he had driven to Troy and was on his way back when the fire occurred.

Beagle said 13 firefighters responded along with law officers from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Libby Police Department and the ambulance volunteers.

Fire crews had two water tenders, an engine and their mobile command center on the scene.

Beagle said Fire Chief/Marshal Steve Lauer and the Sheriff’s Office would investigate the cause, but he didn’t believe there was anything suspicious about the fire.

It was the third structure fire area first responders were called to since Aug. 31.