Bailey Lake home destroyed by early morning fire Tuesday

A fire completely destroyed a home at Bailey Lake about 1 a.m. Tuesday.

Blankenship firefighter Ed Burlingame said the house had likely burned for 20 to 30 minutes before firefighters were even called.

The home was owned by Konstantin Kalaidjiev, 70. He was not injured and was the lone occupant. Kalaidjiev did not have phone service or other utilities, and tried to put the fire out himself. When he couldn't get the fire out, Kalaidjiev then started taking possessions out of the house. The call actually came in from a neighbor, Burlingame noted.

Firefighters had a tough time getting to the structure and had to put down about 600-plus feet of hose, Blankenship Chief Ken Beck said, as they battled deep snow and sub-zero temperatures.

Blankenship has about four feet of snow on the level — more in many places.Folks wanting to help out Kalaidjiev should contact the Red Cross offices in Kalispell.