UPDATE FROM GREAT FALLS FIRE RESCUE, WEDS 5:30PM:
At 4:36 a.m. this morning, Great Falls Fire Rescue (GFFR) was dispatched to a reported garage fire at 1109 8th Avenue South.
Fire crews arrived on scene at 4:43 a.m. to find the detached garage fully engulfed in flames, with fire already extending to the primary residence and threatening the neighboring home at 1115 8th Avenue South.
Due to the heavy fire conditions and the significant risk of structural collapse, incident commanders immediately transitioned to defensive firefighting operations and requested a Second Alarm, bringing additional personnel and equipment to the scene. Defensive operations are used when conditions are too dangerous for firefighters to safely enter a structure, requiring crews to attack the fire from the exterior.
Firefighters quickly worked to protect the neighboring home at 1115 8th Avenue South, successfully preventing the fire from spreading into the residence. While the neighboring home sustained damage to its exterior siding and gutters, no significant structural damage was observed.
Despite an aggressive exterior attack, the fire at 1109 intensified rapidly. The detached garage collapsed early in the incident, followed shortly by the collapse of the home's roof, making suppression efforts even more challenging.
During the incident, firefighters learned that the homeowner had reportedly passed away several weeks ago and that the residence was believed to be vacant. Because that information could not be confirmed during the initial stages of the fire, crews treated the incident as a potential rescue until conditions allowed for a thorough search.
Following the collapse, GFFR requested assistance from the City of Great Falls Utilities Division. Using heavy equipment, Utilities personnel safely removed large sections of debris, allowing firefighters to access concealed hot spots and complete extinguishment operations much more efficiently. Without this assistance, crews likely would have remained on scene for several additional hours.
The structure and debris were searched once conditions allowed. No victims or animals were located.
The garage and residence at 1109 8th Avenue South are considered a total loss.
Firefighters currently remain on scene monitoring hot spots.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Great Falls Fire Rescue Fire Investigators. At this time, there is no indication that the fire is criminal in nature.
Great Falls Fire Rescue would like to thank the City of Great Falls Utilities Division for its invaluable assistance during this incident, as well as the neighboring residents for their patience while crews worked to bring the fire under control.
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Great Falls Fire and Rescue crews responded to a working structure fire early Wednesday morning near the intersection of 8th Avenue South and 11th Street.
Some viewers reported hearing an explosion and seeing debris flying around.
For now, please avoid that area and use alternate routes to allow emergency personnel to safely access to the scene.
Updates will be provided as we receive more information.
