On the evening of December 31st, at approximately 8:30 pm, a structure fire broke out in the vicinity of 7th Avenue South and 7th Street. Emergency responders quickly identified a 56-year-old male, who relies on a wheelchair and oxygen, trapped in the living room of the residence. Fortunately, thanks to the swift actions of the responders, the occupants were evacuated, and the fire was extinguished.
Please stay tuned to The Great Falls Gazette as we will update when we have more information.
UPDATED January 1, 2026, at 1 pm
From 7:00 PM on New Year’s Eve to 9:00 AM on New Year’s Day, Great Falls Fire Rescue (GFFR) responded to a total of 11 service calls. Among these, eight were related to emergency medical services (EMS), while the remaining calls included one disturbance, one motor vehicle accident, and one residential fire attributed to fireworks.
GFFR was dispatched to a residential fire at 717 7th Avenue South at 8:40 PM, following a report from the 911 dispatcher indicating visible flames and smoke emanating from the roof of the property. Upon arrival, Engine 1 discovered a small fire on the roof and successfully extinguished it in a prompt manner. The fire caused minor damage, resulting in a small hole in the roof, which GFFR subsequently repaired for the occupants.
There were two occupants in the home at the time of the fire, including a 56-year-old male, who relies on a wheelchair and oxygen. Great Falls Emergency Services conducted an assessment of both occupants, who declined transport to the hospital. During the investigation into the cause of the fire, a neighbor informed the on-duty Battalion Chief that flames were visible from the roof. The neighbor subsequently approached the residence, alerted the occupants, and contacted 911. Reports indicated that fireworks had been observed in the air to the east of the house prior to the fire incident. The occupants confirmed that they, along with their neighbors, had set off fireworks earlier in the evening.
The cause of the fire was determined to be fireworks coming in contact with cedar shake shingles. There were no injuries, and the occupants were not displaced. It is unknown if citations were issued for the use of illegal fireworks.
By Karen Anderson: January 1, 2026 – Great Falls, Mt
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.
