Firefighters save Evergreen home

Smoke was billowing out of the roof of an Evergreen home when firefighters arrived at the scene of a structure fire on Dover Drive Tuesday evening.

The resident reportedly returned home to discover the fire, which likely started in the kitchen, and called 911 at about 6:30 p.m.

The Evergreen Fire Department arrived just minutes later and firefighters were able to quell the blaze before the structure became a total loss, according to Evergreen Fire Chief Craig Williams.

Mutual aide was provided by Kalispell, Whitefish and South Kalispell fire departments, as well as Braveheart Chaplain Ministry.

It took a couple dozen firefighters about 30 minutes to douse the flames in an aggressive attack.

“We discovered the fire came from the kitchen and then it spread into the attic area,” Williams said.

The two-story single-family home suffered a significant amount of smoke and water damage, and is currently uninhabitable, but the fire chief said he believed the home could be restored.

The exact cause of the fire is under investigation. It is being deemed accidental.

No injuries were reported, and the resident was able to safely remove pets from the home, Williams said.

Williams said any time there is a house fire, he likes to remind residents to make sure they have a working fire alarm. Although it wasn’t a hindrance in this particular incident, the chief also expressed the need for Flathead Valley residents to make sure nearby fire hydrants are accessible and clear from snow.

“It would be great to give us a hand in clearing them out,” Williams said. “If we have to stop and shovel out a hydrant, these are critical minutes that could be spent suppressing a fire.”

Reporter Breeana Laughlin can be reached at 758-4441 or blaughlin@dailyinterlake.com.