Feb 13, 2025
News release prepared by:
Fire Chief Paul Finlay

At approximately 2:15 pm on February 13th, Missoula Rural Fire District (MRFD) was dispatched to 7763 Bear Drive in the West Riverside neighborhood for a reported structure fire.

Upon arrival of MRFD’s first unit on the scene, heavy smoke was reported issuing from a single wide trailer house. Command was immediately established, and an offensive fire attack strategy was issued with assignments to additional incoming resources. Interior firefighting operations quickly knocked down the fire while simultaneously searching the home. Four dogs were inside the home during the fire. Two were deceased on scene, one taken to an emergency veterinarian and one seemingly fine.

MRFD responded to this incident with thirteen firefighters on two engines, two water tenders, one ladder truck, and a command unit. Mutual-aid assistance was provided by the East Missoula Volunteer Fire Department with one engine and three personnel. The Missoula County Sheriff’s office and Missoula Emergency Services Inc. responded to the scene as well. In total, sixteen firefighters were on the scene for approximately one and a half hours. No injuries were sustained by firefighters nor members of the public.

The cause of the fire is under investigation currently. Fire investigators from MRFD will be working on the scene for some time. Unfortunately, the home appears to be a total loss as the fire was well involved before being identified and reported.

MRFD would like to thank all mutual-aid partners for their assistance.

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For additional information regarding this news release, please contact MRFD at 406-549-6172.