Mother, 2-year-old son killed in trailer blaze
Canda Harbaugh/The Western News A stroller sits in front of the burned mobile home of Lorna Coffman. The 26-year-old woman and her 2-year-old son died in an early-morning fire on Saturday.
A woman and her 2-year-old son died in the early morning hours Saturday after a fire destroyed their trailer home on Spencer Hill Avenue in Libby.
Lorna Coffman, 26, and her son, Montie McPherson IV, suffered from burns and smoke inhalation – though the official cause of death is still pending.
Investigators determined that an ashtray containing a lit cigarette tipped over onto the living room couch between a cushion and the couch back, sparking the fire.
Steve Lauer, assistant fire marshal, said the two victims died in the bedroom. Lauer said it was difficult to determine whether or not they had any time to attempt an escape.
“There were no smoke detectors in the house,” Lauer said, “so I don’t know if they ever knew there was a fire.”
Lauer added that alcohol may have been a contributing factor and that investigators are waiting for the results of an autopsy for verification.
Capt. Roby Bowe of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office added: “It’s possible (that alcohol was involved), based on statements from witnesses that were there earlier in the evening, but we’re waiting for toxicology.”
Libby firefighters arrived at the scene at 1 a.m. to see heavy fire coming out of the front half of the home. It took 15 firefighters two hours to suppress the blaze.