Fire hits home on west edge of Kalispell

Firefighters from three departments scrambled Thursday afternoon to a burning home on Rockefeller Drive on the west edge of Kalispell.

The intensity of the fire prompted the evacuation of residents of nearby houses. One adjacent home had its siding melted. Firefighters worked to keep the flames from spreading to other houses.

One resident from across the street said that he saw flames flow out of the front of the house initially. Another witness said that the fire moved fast after it started.

The northeast corner of the house, behind the garage, appeared to be the hardest hit. The walls and roof had nearly disappeared by the time fire crews controlled the flames.

Dogs were rescued from homes neighboring the home on fire. One man, whom officials didn’t identify, ran into the burning house in an attempt to retrieve two dogs. One of them reportedly died in the fire. The man sat in the shade for a while, breathing oxygen while loved ones clung to him at his side.

The man suffered smoke inhalation and was treated initially by Kalispell Fire Chief Dave Dedman and later by Whitefish Fire Department medical responders. He was taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Fire crews from Kalispell, West Valley and Evergreen responded to the fire in addition to Whitefish Ambulance.

Rockefeller drive is in the Empire Estates subdivision off of Three Mile Drive.

The fire was first reported just after 4:30 p.m. By 5:15 p.m. firefighters had the fire knocked down.

Reporter Matt Hudson may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.