New fire in Libby Thursday

The Libby Volunteer Fire Department knocked down another human-caused fire in the city early Thursday morning. The fire consumed an area roughly eight feet by eight feet in size near Fifth Street and the Haul Road.

Lincoln County dispatch received the call at 6:46 a.m. and immediately paged Libby Volunteer Fire Department. First Assistant Chief Steve Lauer said the first three responders knocked the fire down so quickly the remaining dozen or so firefighters who answered the page could mobilize from the fire hall.

Lauer said that while he is sure the fire is human-caused, it does not appear at this time that the blaze is related to the string of arson fires that have plagued the area in recent months.

“If I was betting, I’d say it’s not related,” Lauer said.

The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation by local authorities.