Photo by Great Falls Fire Rescue

Fire destroyed a home early on Dec. 8.

Great Falls Fire Rescue crews responded at 6:24 p.m. to a house fire at 1813 6th Ave. N.

When Engine 1 arrived on scene, the crew found a two-story home with fire engulfing the front of the house.

The fire was also threatening the house directly to the east, according to GFFR.

Dispatchers told the Engine 1 crew that all occupants had safely exited the house and the firefighters attempted to make entry through the front door of the house, but the fire was too intense and the house’s structural integrity was failing, according to GFFR.

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The battalion chief ordered all crews to go “defensive,” meaning they fight the fire from the exterior of the house.

Structure fires typically require a response from all four on-duty fire platoons and GFFR called the Montana Air National Guard and Malmstrom Air Force Base fire departments to backfill fire stations three and four until off-duty GFFR firefighters could be called back to work.

GFFR struck a second alarm, calling back six off-duty firefighters, or two engine crews, and one off-duty battalion chief.

GFFR has mutual aid agreements with MANG and Malmstrom.

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“GFFR crews had to work extremely hard to get control of the fire as the house had balloon frame construction with different additions added onto it, which allowed for many hidden void spaces in the walls and ceiling. The house is considered a total loss. The occupants of the house have been put in contact with the American Red Cross for assistance,” according to GFFR.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family.

No one was injured and the cause of the fire is under investigation, according to GFFR.