Fire destroys home south of Kalispell

A mobile home south of Kalispell burned to the ground Thursday after a wood stove inside the structure caught fire.

According to South Kalispell Fire Chief Chris Yerkes, a neighbor spotted flames coming out of the dwelling on rural Patrick Creek Road at about 2 p.m. The remote location of the home hampered emergency response time, Yerkes said. Emergency responders had to equip their vehicles with chains and shift into four-wheel drive to navigate the narrow, unpaved road. By the time emergency responders were on the scene, the structure was totally engulfed in flames.

Somers, Smith Valley and West Valley fire departments provided assistance to South Kalispell Fire. Firefighters immediately went into defense mode to knock down the flames and protect nearby structures, according to Yerkes. Yerkes described the home’s location as “out in the woods” beyond residential neighborhoods. About 20 personnel used two engines and four water tenders to extinguish the flames, he said. One of two nearby camp trailers also caught fire, the chief said. Firefighters quickly extinguished the trailer to salvage the contents.

Fire crews extinguished the flames in about 20 to 30 minutes and stayed on scene for about five hours. No one was injured in the blaze. The single occupant of the home, a woman reported to be in her 70s, was not at home at the time of the fire, A pet dog was rescued from inside the building.

“We administered a little oxygen to it and the dog perked up and was doing good,” Yerkes said. A neighbor took care of the pet until the homeowner returned, the chief reported.

Unfortunately, the woman lost her home and all of her belongings, the chief said. Red Cross is assisting her with some basic needs. Residents are reminded to regularly inspect and maintain their chimneys. In the case of this fire, a hole had formed in the chimney pipe at the back of the wood stove, Yerkes reported.

Reporter Breeana Laughlin can be reached at 758-4441 or blaughlin@dailyinterlake.com.