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Residents escape burning home in Whitefish without injury

DERRICK PERKINS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 5 months AGO
by DERRICK PERKINS
NEWS EDITOR Derrick Perkins serves as News Editor at the Daily Inter Lake. He oversees daily news coverage and works closely with reporters to plan, edit and publish stories across print and digital platforms. Perkins helps coordinate coverage of local government, public safety, business and community developments throughout Northwest Montana. He works with the reporting staff to strengthen journalism while maintaining consistent daily coverage. His role helps ensure the newsroom delivers timely, accurate reporting that readers rely on. IMPACT: Derrick’s work keeps readers informed about the decisions and events shaping their communities every day. | April 12, 2023 1:00 AM

A house fire in Whitefish over the weekend caused no injuries but left an East Second Street home a total loss, fire officials said on Monday.

Crews responding to the 1500 block home about 11 p.m., April 8 found the house fully involved, said Whitefish Fire Chief Joe Page. Everyone inside made it out safely, he said, and no firefighters were injured while fighting the blaze.

Whitefish received mutual aid from Columbia Falls, Evergreen, Big Mountain Fire District, Kalispell and West Valley Fire and Rescue, Page said. Kalispell Fire Department sent a ladder truck and the others dispatched engines, he said.

“It just shows you the great help [we get] from our neighbors, all the mutual aid that came in to help,” Page said.

Page described the house as a single story home with a basement. Crews took a defensive approach to the fire after determining that all the occupants had exited, he said.

Firefighters had the blaze under control by about 4 a.m., he said.

“Long night and a lot of water,” Page said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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