BILLINGS — A woman died as a result of smoke inhalation in an apartment fire on Tuesday, according to the Billings Fire Department.
The name of the woman has not yet been released.
A second person taken to the hospital has been released.
The fire caused an estimated $60,000 in damages but was contained to the single apartment unit.
Firefighters were called at about 8 p.m. to the building at the 100 block of North 22nd Street, Battalion Chief Jason Lyon said. Within 45 seconds, firefighters had rescued one of the victims, he said.
Two other people in the building were injured but did not require to be taken to a hospital, Lyon said.
The fire was contained to one room in the three-story building, according to Lyon.
The cause is being investigated by Billings Deputy Fire Marshal Jamie Fender.
The Red Cross is setting up a shelter for displaced apartment residents, Lyon said.
The response included six engine companies, one ladder truck, and two medics because of the chance of large-scale injuries throughout the building, Lyon said. Consequently, the department was left with one other engine for the rest of the city, which shifted from the West End to central Billings to respond to calls, he said.
