Great Falls Fire Rescue responded to a fully involved house fire located at 1813 6th Ave N. Engine 1 was the first to arrive on scene and found a two-story home with fire engulfing the front of the house, the fire was also threatening the house directly to the east. Dispatch provided Engine1 with the information that all occupants were reported to have safely made it out of the house. they were provided with information stating that all occupants were out of the house. Engine 1 attempted to make entry through the front door of the house, but the fire was too intense and the structural integrity of the house was staring to fail. Given the situation of the house, the GFFR battalion chief had all crews go “defensive”, which means fighting the fire from the exterior of the house.
With the call made to go “defensive”, the Montana Air National Guard and Malmstrom Air Force Base fire departments were called and asked to back fill fire stations three and four until off duty GFFR personnel could be called back to work. A Second Alarm was struck, calling back six off duty fire fighters and one off duty battalion chief. GFFR extends its thanks to the Montana Air National Guard and Malmstrom Air Force Base fire departments, as they provided protection to the City of Great Falls as all GFFR crews were assigned.
GFFR crews had to work extremely hard to get control of the fire as the house had balloon frame construction with different additions added onto it, which allowed for many hidden void spaces in the walls and ceiling. The house is considered a total loss. The occupants of the house have been put in contact with the American Red Cross for assistance.
As of this time, the cause of the fire is under investigation.
