Firefighters quench Woodway Avenue blaze

The Libby Volunteer Fire Department responded to a Woodway Avenue house fire on the afternoon of March 1.

Fire Marshal Steve Lauer said the blaze began when combustible materials near a basement chimney went up in flames. Thanks to a rapid response time, firefighters suppressed the fire before it caused major damage to the home.

“We were able to get to the scene quickly and reduce the risks,” said Lauer. “We got the fire knocked down before it grew too big.”

Homeowner Ron Snow said he cleaned out his chimney that morning and later left to run some errands. When he returned around noon, he found smoke filling his home. Snow said his dog was inside at the time, but was unharmed.

Fighting a fire in a basement can be especially difficult, said Lauer, since rooms built underground are hard to ventilate. The fire marshal said there was structural damage to the floor joists and heavy smoke in the room where the fire began. After firefighters reported significant wiring damage, Lauer had the power company pull the house’s meter until electricians could complete inspections and repairs.

Two fire engines, two tenders and the department’s command vehicle responded to the scene, according to Lauer. Around a dozen firefighters were on the call.