Several area fire departments responded shortly before noon today to the scene of a massive house fire on 6th Avenue NE in Bowman.
(Updated at 3 p.m. April 13 with additional information; names of home owners corrected)
By Bryce Martin | Pioneer Editor | [email protected]
Several area fire departments responded shortly before noon today to the scene of a massive house fire on 6th Avenue NE in Bowman.
No injuries were reported but the home was a total loss.
The large blaze quickly grew from bedrooms in the south part of the home just as Bowman, Scranton and Rhame Fire Departments responded to the scene, according to eyewitness reports. A large plume of black was visible miles away. Within about a half-hour, the entire home’s structure was in flames as it grew to engulf the home’s large, attached three-stall garage to the north. A pick-up truck was still parked in the garage and was completely destroyed.
A large portion of the home’s roof collapsed as crews worked tirelessly to contain the blaze.
The fire claimed most of the single-story structure, which had three bedrooms on the first floor and several in its basement.
The residence is owned by Jeremy and Kara Longland, who also owns the Uptown Bar and Grill in Bowman.
Kara’s two dogs, who were in the garage, were rescued by Bowman Volunteer Firefighter Kevin Bagley, according to Kara’s daughter, Mariah Slagle. No one else was in the home at the time the fire broke out.
Slagle said she had recently purchased a new home and her parents would likely stay there for the time being.
Kara Longland said she was at her business when she received news from a friend that the home was on fire. At first, she explained, she thought it was a joke. She quickly dialed 911, which informed her that crews were en route.
Local homeowner Tim Oberfoell was the first to call in the blaze, according to reports. Bobbie Fossum, who lives across the street from the Longland’s home, said she also phoned police.
Eyewitnesses at the scene indicated that Oberfoell had hurried to turn off the home’s two large propane tanks.
Fire crews required a tie-in to a city water line several hundred yards to the west. The area of the home is not tied into city infrastructure, being outside city limits, so crews couldn’t attach to fire hydrants. About three water tankers, each from Bowman, Rhame and Scranton’s departments, were also at the scene.
The fire was contained at around 1:30 p.m.
Bowman County Sheriff Rory Tiegen and Deputy Doug Langhoff directed traffic on Highway 85 at its intersection with 6th Avenue.
A cause has yet to be determined for the source of the fire. An investigation will likely ensue in the following days.
