Fire destroys home on Mineral Avenue

Just seconds after Dorothea Miner was carried from her porch by Libby police sergeant Terry Watson and Lincoln County sheriff’s deputy Nate Scofield, an explosion rocked her home, which was already engulfed in flames.

The actions of Watson and Scofield quite possibly saved Miner’s life, but nothing could be done to save her home, which was completely ravaged by the blaze.

The fire engulfed the nearly 100 year old home, located at 714 Mineral Avenue, in the early evening on Tuesday. The call to 911 was registered at 5:47 p.m., and 20 members of Libby’s volunteer fire department responded.

Assistant Chief Scott Beagle was the first fireman to arrive on the scene, just as Scofield and Watson were removing Mrs. Miner to the safety of a patrol car. “They probably saved her life,” Beagle said about the actions of two officers.

According to a statement released by Libby Volunteer Fire Chief Tom Wood, the volunteer firefighters worked for over two hours to contain the blaze. Freezing temperatures didn’t help. “It was so cold our hoses were freezing up on us,” Beagle said.

The causes of the fire and the resulting explosion are under investigation by department investigators Adam Orr and Jason Place. Wood and Beagle both speculated that the explosion came from the homeowner’s oxygen tanks, but were careful to note it was only speculation at this time.

Mrs. Miner is listed in good condition at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center.