Great Falls Fire Rescue put out early morning garage fire

News release from Great Falls Fire Rescue

Great Falls, MT – During the early morning of Sunday, May 31, 2026, Great Falls Fire Rescue’s C-Platoon responded to a residential structure fire at 1902 Cherry Drive at 04:18 a.m.

Initial reports indicated a resident was still inside the structure.

Upon arrival, the crew on Engine 4 encountered a fire in the attached garage that had begun extending into the home’s kitchen area. Crews quickly initiated an aggressive fire attack and contained the fire before it could spread further into the residence. Members of Great Falls Police Department assisted during the initial attack by helping crews gain access through a secured door.

Fortunately, the occupant was able to safely evacuate the structure under their own power and was later transported to Benefis Health System for treatment of smoke inhalation.

GFFR issued a second alarm for off-duty personnel to ensure continued emergency response coverage for the community while crews remained committed to the incident.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation and is not believed to be criminal in nature.

While the garage sustained areas of significant fire damage, the damage to the interior living space was limited primarily to the kitchen area. Northwestern Energy responded to disconnect power to the residence as a safety precaution.

The rapid response and decisive actions of C-Platoon’s crews and response partners played a key role in quickly containing the fire, evacuating the resident, and limiting damage to the home.