Great Falls Fire Rescue responded to a house fire at 8:37 a.m. April 3 at 317 10th S. S.

The 911 caller reported that all occupants were out of the house and there was thick black smoke coming from the basement.

The first GFFR crew arrived on scene at 8:40 a.m., finding smoke showing from the house.

Warmer weather brings open burning, permit map available to public; GFFR responds to three residential fires this week

Firefighters made contact with the home’s occupants who confirmed the fire was confined to the basement and firefighters entered the house, making their way to the basement, where they found heavy smoke conditions, according to GFFR.

The first engine crew on scene had the fire out within 19 minutes of arriving on scene, according to GFFR.

While the first crew was combating the fire in the basement, the next crew searched the first floor for the occupant’s dog that was reported to still be inside.

GFFR responds to house fire, occupant and pets exit safely

The crew located the dog, which was unconscious, and despite life saving measures by GFFR, the dog died, according to GFFR.

The fire’s cause was determined to be a space heater that was being used to defrost a freezer, according to GFFR.

GFFR: Fire property damages increased in recent months over last year

The fire caused significant damage to the basement of the house and the first floor suffered minor smoke damage.

The occupants of the house were referred to the American Red Cross for assistance, according to GFFR.