Fire claims life of Evergreen man

Faulty wiring blamed for mobile-home fire

An Evergreen man died Monday morning in a mobile-home fire that apparently was caused by faulty wiring.

The body of Rodney A. Nelson, 52, was found in the kitchen of the single-wide trailer adjacent to the Shady Lane Pond, and he "had perished prior to our arrival," Evergreen Fire Chief Craig Williams said.

Nelson was an animal trainer for the now-defunct Wild Eyes Animal and Photo Adventures animal park north of Columbia Falls.

Evergreen firefighters were dispatched to the fire at 161 Shady Lane about 8:08 a.m. Monday and arrived at the scene in about seven minutes.

"We encountered heavy smoke and fire venting from the windows," Williams said. "There was an indication of a possible occupant entrapped."

Firefighters attempted to go through the trailer's front door but were met with heavy fire that forced them back, Williams said.

It took about a half hour to knock the fire down. "It was fully involved so it took us a while to suppress it," Williams said.

Contrary to initial reports, the fire at Nelson's trailer home was not the result of arson, Williams said. "It was faulty wiring that was the cause," Williams said. "It was not arson."

In addition to Evergreen firefighters, the Kalispell and South Kalispell fire departments provided assistance. The Flathead County Sheriff's Office established temporary roadblocks on Shady Lane.

The scene was cleared at 1:50 p.m.

The fire is being investigated by the Sheriff's Office.

Nelson also was known for his involvement in a local alligator incident. Three years ago, a 5-foot-long alligator he owned escaped into the Shady Lane Pond, which led to the reptile being harassed by people for six hours.

A crowd of about 25 people reportedly tried to hook the alligator with fishing gear, shot it with a bow and arrow and slit its throat before a Flathead County Sheriff's deputy arrived and put the reptile down.