Three die in house fire

A couple and their teenage son died Friday, Jan. 22, in a house fire on the North Fork Road just outside Columbia Falls.

James Lewis Barry IV, 63, his wife, Wanda Mae Barry, 52, and their son, James Lewis Barry V, 15, all died in the fire. The cause of death is smoke inhalation, according to Flathead County Sheriff's office.

A wood-burning stove appeared to be the cause of the fire that charred a third of the structure. Two large dogs also died in the blaze.

Columbia Falls Fire Department Chief Rick Hagen said his department was dispatched at 6 a.m. and arrived at the home 10 minutes later.

First response included 15 firefighters, two engines, two water tenders, a rescue vehicle and a command vehicle.

Bad Rock and Blankenship fire departments also responded. A total of 25 firefighters contained the blaze to one third of the structure. Heat and smoke damaged the rest of the home.

An initial investigation indicated that there were no batteries in any of the home's three smoke detectors. Two detectors — one in a hallway and another in a bedroom — were melted and parts recovered, but no battery parts were found. An intact smoke alarm in another bedroom had an open lid and no battery.

The home was heated with a wood-burning stove, which Hagen said appeared to be the source of ignition.