Woman allegedly started fires in home

The Daily Inter Lake

A woman is receiving mental-health care after allegedly starting a fire in an Evergreen home overnight.

The fire was reported at about 2 a.m. when the woman went to the hospital, where she said she fell asleep with a cigarette burning and her house was on fire.

About 30 firefighters from Evergreen, West Valley, Smith Valley and South Kalispell fire departments went to the home, according to Don Doty, chief of the Evergreen department.

The woman's story changed, according to Bruce Parish, detective commander at the sheriff's office.

After telling about the accidental cigarette fire, she said she was cold and had started a fire in the kitchen sink. Then she reportedly said she started numerous fires in the house.

"There were two on the kitchen floor," perhaps started in clothing, Parish said.

The fire is still under investigation, he said.

Doty estimated damage at $15,000-$20,000. It was confined to the kitchen and dining room, he said.

The woman, who was not seriously hurt, was renting the home on U.S. 2 between Reserve Drive and Rose Crossing, Parish said.

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The same four fire departments were called Tuesday afternoon when a fire in a bedroom drove a family out of its Mission Way South home.

No one was hurt and damage was reportedly contained to the lower-level room.

Doty said about 13 Evergreen firefighters and eight from West Valley showed up. He sent Smith Valley firefighters back to the station and asked South Kalispell's department to cover for Evergreen until work was finished at the house.

The fire may have been caused by someone lighting matches, he said.

He estimates damage at about $10,000 and said the home is suitable for the family to stay in.