Fire destroys fifth-wheel trailer
<p><strong>Evergreen</strong> firefighters Ben Covington and James Boyce douse a fire in a fifth-wheel trailer on Grigg Road near Glacier Park International Airport on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p><strong>Evergreen</strong> firefighter Ben Covington hoses down a fifth-wheel camper as James Boyce clears debris with a pike pole. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
A fifth-wheel trailer was destroyed by fire Tuesday morning near Glacier Park International Airport.
The trailer was completely engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived at the Grigg Road property east of the airport at 11:53 a.m.
A 100-pound propane tank next to the camper had a safety valve that opened when exposed to the fire, releasing pressure and gas that ignited, but prevented the tank from blowing up, according to Evergreen Fire Chief Craig Williams.
The trailer fire caused some spot fires in nearby grass along with an approximately 70-foot-tall pine tree, Williams said.
Williams said a man and dog were able to escape from the fire, but he wasn’t certain if the pair were inside the trailer or nearby.
Only parts of the trailer frame were left standing after the fire was put out. Williams said the fire is believed to have been caused by an electrical problem.
Evergreen, Columbia Falls and Glacier Park International Airport firefighters responded to the fire, along with the Two Bear Air Rescue helicopter that was used to search out hot spots in the field.
The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office assisted with traffic control while Flathead Electric Cooperative attended to power concerns.