At 1:46 AM on April 14th, Great Falls Fire Rescue’s A Platoon received a dispatch concerning a house fire located at 321 1st Avenue SW. According to a press release, the 911 City/County Dispatch Center had received a call that a generator was ablaze outside the residence. Truck 2 was dispatched at 1:48 AM and arrived on site at 1:51 AM.
Upon arrival, Truck 2 personnel confirmed that all occupants and their pets had evacuated the premises. However, the fire was found to have spread from the exterior into the first and second floors of the structure. A second alarm was activated, resulting in the mobilization of the Montana Air National Guard and the Malmstrom Air Force Base Fire Departments to provide additional support.
Upon entry, A Platoon crews discovered that the fire had infiltrated the walls and attic spaces, complicating efforts to contain the blaze due to the house’s lath and plaster construction. As a result, the residence sustained extensive damage and is now classified as a total loss. Precisely one year ago, a separate fire incident occurred at this same location, which resulted in the destruction of a back apartment.
Two of the five occupants were transported to Benefis East for medical evaluation, and their current condition remains undisclosed. The American Red Cross has been alerted to provide assistance to those affected. The fire has been determined to have originated from the generator located adjacent to the house.
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.
