Fire damages Columbia Falls garage

Help from neighbors and a fast response by the fire department likely helped save a Karen Road couple from disaster last week.

Bob and Suzane Little's garage caught fire Tuesday, April 22 at around 9 p.m. The fire is believed to have originated from a riding lawnmower outside the garage.

The Littles were unaware of the fire until their neighbors knocked on their door and told them to get out. One neighbor grabbed a garden hose and began spraying the flames. Another dialed 911.

Bob said off-duty Highway Patrol Trooper John Underwood, who lives nearby, assisted the couple.

"He helped us get some important documents out and he moved a propane bottle near the garage," said Bob. "Then he made sure we got out."

Bob said many folks helped the couple during the ordeal.

"So many people showed up – it was just incredible," he said.

The Littles were able to get out of the home relatively safely. Bob sprained a calf muscle while trying to pull a small trailer away from the garage. He was treated at the scene and later taken to the hospital by private car.

The Columbia Falls Fire Department was on the scene within minutes and was able to put the fire out.

"My (firefighters' did a stellar job," said Fire Chief Bob Webber. "They were on the scene and within a minute had it knocked down."

Webber estimates the damage the garage and the contents to be between $25,000 and $35,000. As of last week the cause of the fire was under investigation, but the fire seemed to have started from the lawn mower.

"It's possible that I won't find the cause, but it doesn't appear suspicious," he said.

Bob Little said the lawnmower had been sitting covered next to the garage since last October when he used it last.

The outside of the garage suffered extensive damage, but firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to the attic or into the home. The garage is attached to the house, but the home only smelled like smoke and was undamaged.

Firefighters remained on scene for a couple hours, said Webber, to ensure the fire remained out.

Power was restored to the living portion of the home and the Littles were able to return for the night. Telephone and TV lines in the attic of the garage were melted due to heat from the fire, but service was being restored last week.

Bob said the damages are small "compared to what could have happened."

Two firefighters suffered minor smoke inhalation and were treated at the scene.