Sunday morning fire damages two rooms at services center

Libby Volunteer Fire Department firefighters were summoned to the McGrade Center on Farm to Market Road at 6:40 a.m. Sunday for a fire that is suspicious in nature.

“They’re talking right now like it’s arson,” said Libby School Superintendent K.W. Maki, of the social services building the district leases.

In all, 24 members of the Libby Volunteer Fire Department responded to the report of smoke coming from the back of the old McGrade School at 933 Farm to Market Road, currently occupied by State of Montana offices. 

The first officers arrived on scene at 6:49 a.m. and encountered heavy smoke from an office window on the North side of the building. Engine 4 stationed out of station 3 with its accompanying water supply was the first suppression apparatus on scene and conducted offensive fire attack operations.

“I’ve never seen so much damage contained,” Maki said. “There was tremendous damage to the one office and not as much to the other,” he said. 

Station 1 engines and supporting apparatus units arrived on scene within a couple of minutes to enhance and support the suppression efforts. 

The fire was contained to the one office room, but most of the structure did sustain some smoke damage. 

The Libby Fire department was supported by Libby Volunteer Ambulance for medical assistance and Lincoln County Sheriff’s office for investigative support.

There is no fire protection sprinkler system in that part of the building.