April 14th at 6:39 p.m., Great Falls Fire Rescue responded to a reported structure fire at 1309 2nd Avenue North.
Engine 1 arrived on the scene to find smoke and flames coming from the second floor of the residence. All occupants had evacuated safely before firefighters arrived. They informed the crews that the fire had started in a second-floor bedroom and that several pets were still inside.
Engine 1 initiated an exterior fire attack through a bedroom window to quickly douse the flames, then shifted to an interior attack to extinguish the remaining fire. Engine 4 arrived shortly afterward and was tasked with searching the first floor and basement. During their search, firefighters located multiple pets and successfully removed them from the home.
The fire caused significant damage to the bedroom, with smoke damage extending throughout the second floor. Additional damage occurred to the exterior of the home due to the fire and suppression efforts. The occupants have been displaced and referred to the American Red Cross for assistance. The cause of the fire has been determined to be electrical in nature.
As a safety reminder, electrical fires can occur without warning. You can reduce your risk by avoiding overloaded outlets and extension cords, replacing damaged or frayed cords, using surge protectors when appropriate, having older wiring inspected by a qualified electrician, and testing smoke alarms monthly while ensuring fresh batteries are installed.
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.
