On Tuesday, March 25th, at 3:26 a.m., a report of a structure fire was received at 741 32nd Ave NE. According to a press release, Great Falls Fire Rescue Truck 2 arrived at the scene at 3:35 a.m. and observed smoke emanating from the front of the residence, with two occupants outside. A third occupant remained in the basement, actively searching for the family’s cats.
The crew of Truck 2 instructed the basement occupant to evacuate the premises. The individual complied and exited through a basement egress window.
Great Falls Fire Rescue crew entered the residence through the front door, where they encountered a fire in the living room, which they were able to control efficiently.
Engine 4 arrived on the scene at 3:39 a.m. and extended a second hose line into the basement to prevent the fire from spreading further. The battalion chief from Great Falls Fire Rescue initiated a second alarm, recalling six off-duty firefighters and another battalion chief. He also requested assistance from the Montana Air National Guard and Malmstrom Fire Departments to provide support.
Upon gaining control of the fire, it was ascertained that the occupants of the residence included a father, his son, and his girlfriend. The father reported that he awakened due to the odor of smoke. After inadvertently inhaling smoke, he crawled out of bed and closed his bedroom door. With the fire located outside his bedroom, he escaped through a window.
Meanwhile, the son and girlfriend were in the basement when they heard the smoke detectors. The son ascended the staircase and checked the kitchen door, which was cool to the touch; however, upon opening the door, he encountered smoke. He promptly closed the door and he and his girlfriend exited the home via the basement egress window. The father was subsequently transported to the hospital by his son’s girlfriend for evaluation of smoke inhalation; his current condition is unknown. The son and his girlfriend did not seek medical attention.
Four cats were present in the home during the incident. Three of the cats have been located and are reported to be in good health, while the search for the fourth cat continues.
The fire resulted in significant damage to the living room and considerable smoke damage throughout the remainder of the upper floors. The basement sustained only minor smoke damage. The fire was attributed to a malfunction of a video gaming controller and its charging station. The occupants have been referred to the American Red Cross for any assistance they may require.
Author: Karen Anderson
Karen is the Editor-in-Chief overseeing all news operations at Foxys Publishing Co. She also loves photography and spending time with her dogs.
