Great Falls Fire Rescue Truck Responding to House Fire (Generic) - The Vault
Photo By: Tina Brennan

UPDATE: July 15, 2026 at 2:39 p.m.

Great Falls Fire Rescue initially responded to a house fire on Sunnyside Avenue at around 6:54 a.m. on Wednesday, according to an update from the fire agency. GFFR said multiple 911 calls were made reporting the fire, and one caller confirmed that the house's occupants were able to evacuate before crews arrived. 

The home's attached garage was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, and the fire was upgraded to a second alarm. 

"The fire was labor intensive and required a significant amount of overhaul after the main body of the fire had been extinguished," GFFR said. "Firefighters worked to locate and extinguish hidden fire to prevent it from spreading further within the structure or to neighboring homes. The fire was brought under control in just under one hour."

The house is currently not habitable and sustained significant damage, GFFR said.

A dog and cat were inside the home at the start of the fire. According to GFFR, the dog escaped safely, but the cat is currently not accounted for. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but the fire agency said investigators do not currently believe that the fire is the result of criminal action. 

GREAT FALLS, Mont. - Great Falls Fire Rescue (GFFR) is responding to an active structure fire on Sunnyside Avenue and 16th Street South on Wednesday morning, according to a social media post from the fire agency. 

"Please stay clear of the area and give emergency responders plenty of room to work," GFFR wrote. "We appreciate your patience and cooperation."

This is a developing story. Updates will be posted to this article as soon as new information becomes available.