Quick action saves home from fire

Creston Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Bill Tidwell said team effort kept embers in an attic from completely catching a house on fire Friday night.

Creston and Evergreen fire departments responded to Montford Road just after 8:30 p.m.

“The chimney had improper clearances around it which led to heat catching the wood part of the home on fire,” Tidwell said.

A homeowner grabbed an extinguisher and immediately called 911, Tidwell said. Quick response by the homeowner, 911 dispatchers and firefighters kept the home safe, he said.

“It was a team effort,” he said.

The department made sure there weren’t any stray embers to re-ignite, and damage was minimal.

“The fire was contained to the attic and to the ceiling right over the stove,” Tidwell said. “The house is still livable.”

Tidwell said the case is a good example of how having a fire extinguisher on hand can make a big difference in the outcome of a fire.

Whitefish Police Department took a report from a woman who said that someone had knocked one of her side view mirrors off while she was parked on Columbia Avenue. The woman did not have any suspects.

Columbia Falls Police counseled parties after a barkeep complained that patrons were harassing him.