Home, fifth wheel destroyed in Thursday night fire
Emergency responders battle a structure fire Thursday eveing in Columbia Heights. The blaze destoryed a home and fifth-wheel trailer. (Bad Rock Volunteer Fire photo)
By BREEANA LAUGHLIN
For the Hungry Horse News
A fire consumed a home and fifth-wheel trailer outside of Columbia Falls Thursday evening.
Bad Rock Fire Department responded to the call on Jensen Road in the Columbia Heights area at about 5:30 p.m.
When Incident Commander Rick Facca arrived on scene the fifth-wheel was totally engulfed and flames had leaped to the side of an A-frame house.
“It spread very quickly,” said Bad Rock Fire Chief Kirk Katzenmeyer.
Bad Rock was joined by Columbia Falls, Creston and Hungry Horse-Martin City fire departments.
No one was injured in the blaze.
A woman living in the fifth-wheel was displaced and is receiving some help from the American Red Cross, according to the fire chief.
“She lost everything,” said Katzenmeyer.
No residents were present in the home, fire officials said Friday, and it remains unknown who owns the home.
Thirty-five firefighters were on scene and 11 fire apparatus were used to fight the blaze. Two medical personnel were also on standby.
“The teamwork on the fire was exceptional,” Katzenmeyer said. “It was a well-run operation.”
The Bad Rock Fire Department chief said it was about 11:30 p.m. when the blaze was fully extinguished and firefighters were able to leave the scene.
Laurie’s Deli in Columbia Falls stayed open late to provide the volunteer firefighters with sandwiches, Katzenmeyer added.