Great Falls Fire Rescue responded at 1:46 a.m. on April 14 to a fire at 321 1st Ave. S.W.
The 911 call came in as a generator on fire outside of the house.
The first engine was en route at 1:48 a.m. and arrived on scene at 1:51 a.m. to find all occupants and their pets outside of the house, according to GFFR.
The fire on the exterior of the house extended into the first and second floors of the house.
Dog killed in house fire, occupants safe
A second alarm was struck, meaning off duty firefighters are called back to duty, and Malmstrom Air Force Base and Montana Air National Guard firefighters backfilled the city until the called back city firefighters arrived.
GFFR firefighters made entry into the house, finding that the fire had spread to the wall and attic spaces.
It was labor intensive for GFFR crews to get the fire under control since the house was made of lath and plaster, according to GFFR.
The house sustained significant damage and is considered a total loss.
The fire is the 18th working fire and 11th residential fire so far in 2025, according to GFFR data.
Two of the five occupants of the house were transported to the hospital for medical evaluation and their condition was unknown as of Monday afternoon, according to GFFR.
The American Red Cross was notified of their need for assistance.
The generator next to the house cause the fire, according to GFFR Fire Marshal Mike McIntosh.
A year ago this week, a fire occured at the same address, destroying the back apartment.
That fire was caused by improperly installed electrical work sending electricity to the back apartment.
GFFR: Fire property damages increased in recent months over last year
The portion of the house that caught fire on April 14 hasn’t had utility services for several years and the city has been attempting to get the property cleaned up, but that has to work through a legal process, according to several city officials.
The second fire at the same address highlights a portion of city code that McIntosh is proposing to update.
GFFR chief: Lack of fire training facility risks readiness, safety, increased insurance rates
GFFR is proposing an addition to city code addressing the abatement of fire hazard nuisances caused by structures and states: “any and all buildings, ruins, chimneys, flues, boilers, walls, remains of burned buildings or other constructions within the city limits which, by reason of their construction or condition, are in danger of being set on fire shall be found to be in violation of Title 16 of the City of Great Falls. The owner or owners of properties that are found to be in violation of Title 16 shall be notified to abate such violations forthwith.”
“In case of a fire resulting directly or indirectly from failure promptly to comply with an order issued under this section, the person so failing to comply with such order shall pay to the city, for the service of GFFR, the actual costs for the time GFFR is engaged in fighting such fire. Such money shall be paid in the general fund of the city.”
McIntosh will presenting that proposed provision, as well as other proposed changes to the city’s fire code during the City Commission’s April 15 work session.
