Firefighters quickly knock down Columbia Falls house fire

Columbia Falls firefighters quickly knocked down a house fire Sunday about 5:46 p.m. on Ninth Avenue West.

The fire is still under investigation, said Columbia Falls Fire Chief Karl Weeks.

A woman, who lived with two dogs at the house, was able to get out of the garage side door, which was fully engulfed when law enforcement arrived on the scene.

Police Chief Clint Peters said she was able to shove a shelf out of the way and get out before succumbing to the smoke and flames. She was treated on the scene. Two dogs at the home also escaped unharmed.

The house saw minimal structural damage, Weeks said, though it had heat and smoke damage.

Nineteen firefighters responded to the fire.

The initial reports were that shots were fired, but Peters said it wasn’t clear whether a gun was discharged or it was just heat popping things in the garage.

“The (firefighters) did a great job,” Peters said. “It was a really hot fire and they were on the scene quickly.”

Weeks also gave kudos to the crew.

“I was real happy with the guys’ performance,” he said.

Firefighters were clear at 7:41 p.m.