Libby man hospitalized following Thanksgiving weekend house fire

The Libby Volunteer Fire Department battled a roaring house fire Sunday evening that left a 79-year-old Libby man homeless.

Fire crews, Libby Volunteer Ambulance, Libby Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Flathead Electric Cooperative were on the scene shortly after 4 p.m. and departed at about 6 p.m.

Black smoke was seen throughout the city as the home at the corner of California Avenue and West Spruce Street burned.

The man was able to get out of the home and emergency medical technicians tended to him before taking him to Cabinet Peaks Medical Center.

Neighbors said the man had health conditions.

According to Libby Fire Chief Steve Lauer, the man was later flown to another hospital for treatment. He was renting the home, which Lauer said was insured.

The fire was under control before it could damage multiple homes next to the structure. A neighbor sprayed water on his carport where his boat was stored in a further effort to stop the spread of the flames. There was some damage to a neighbor’s fence.

“We had a great response to the fire,” Lauer said. “We are still investigating the cause.

    Libby Volunteer Fire Department's Kevin McCallum sprays water on a house fire Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, at the corner of California Avenue and West Spruce Street in Libby. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)