Officers rescue woman from fire

LIBBY — Just seconds after Dorothea Miner was carried from her porch Tuesday night by Libby Police Sgt. Terry Watson and Lincoln County sheriff’s Deputy Nate Scofield, an explosion rocked her burning home.

Watson and Scofield quite possibly saved Miner’s life, but nothing could be done to save her home from the fire.

The fire engulfed the nearly 100-year-old home at 714 Mineral Ave. The call to 911 was registered at 5:47 p.m. and 20 members of Libby’s volunteer fire department responded.

Assistant Chief Scott Beagle was the first firefighter to arrive on the scene just as Scofield and Watson were taking Miner to the safety of a patrol car. 

“They probably saved her life,” Beagle said.

Libby Volunteer Fire Chief Tom Wood said volunteer firefighters worked for over two hours to contain the fire. 

Freezing weather didn’t help. “It was so cold our hoses were freezing up on us,” Beagle said.

The causes of the fire and the resulting explosion are under investigation by fire investigators Adam Orr and Jason Place. 

Wood and Beagle speculated that the explosion might have come from the home-owner’s oxygen tanks.

Miner was taken to Cabinet Peaks Medical Center.