Melby's Home Interiors a total loss after fire

Melby’s Home Interiors on U.S. Highway 2 in Columbia Falls was engulfed by a fire Sunday morning. The call came out about 5:30 a.m. When firefighters arrived, the fire was already into the attic of the structure and it spread throughout the building, said assistant Fire Chief Jesse Best.

Firefighters were still on the scene late in the morning and the cause and origin of the fire was still under investigation. There were no injuries, Best said.

Firefighters from Columbia Falls, Whitefish, Evergreen, Bad Rock and Blankenship all responded as did Three Rivers Ambulance, Columbia Falls Police and the Flathead County Sheriff’s Department. They were able to contain the fire to the main building. Outbuildings and storage units adjacent to the main building did not appear to be damaged, though a fence between the building and a neighboring home caught on fire.

The main building, however, was a total loss, Best said. Owner Steve Melby said the business would rebuild and was insured. They'll be open for business Monday with temporary office space donated at Glacier Bank in Columbia Falls. He said insurance adjusters had already visited the property Sunday morning.

The building was all but  torn down by early afternoon.

Melby’s is the oldest furniture and flooring store in the city and has long been a supporter of Columbia Falls sports and other community activities for decades. It has been in business 50 years — 10 at the U.S. Highway 2 location.