Sunday Night Fire Damages Missoula Home

A structure fire late Sunday night at 420 East Beckwith caused over $120,000 in damage to the attic and upper floors of the home.

Missoula City Fire responded with four engines, with a fifth sent after the initial call, according to Assistant Fire Marshall Dax Frazer. Also responding were one ladder truck, a battalion chief and a fire investigator.

A total of 15 firefighters were sent to the scene where smoke and flames were visible on the roof of the house. Crews found the attic fully involved in fire, but all the occupants had made it safely out of the home.

Frazer said the attack had to access the fire through the interior ceiling and the narrow attic hatch, which necessitated the assignment of a Rapid Intervention crew to protect fire crews working in high heat and heavy smoke.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but damage to the home was estimated at about $120,000, with $300,000 in property saved.