Fire destroys home in Libby

A Libby home was destroyed in an early Saturday evening fire, killing pets but not hurting any people.

Lauren Ehlenfeldt and her family were not home when the fire broke out at the 36977 Highway 2 South address, east of the highway on Whiskey Hill.

Libby Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the scene at 4:05 p.m. after several 911 callers reported flames coming out of the home, a double-wide trailer with additions.

Though the house was not completely engulfed when firefighters arrived, it was “heavily involved,” according to fire marshal Bill Watt.

“The heaviest burn portion was in the rear of the building,” Watt said.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated, according to Watt.

There were reports of an explosion at the house during the time of the fire, but Watts said they have not been confirmed.

It took four hours and the work of 25 firefighters to put out the blaze.

Though some contents were salvageable, the house that the Ehlenfeldt’s had been renting and most of their belongings were lost.