Billings Gunfire Delayed Fire Response in Blaze That Killed Multiple Children and Adults
Updated
Updated · Firehouse · Aug 25
Billings Gunfire Delayed Fire Response in Blaze That Killed Multiple Children and Adults
3 articles · Updated · Firehouse · Aug 25
Summary
Billings officials said firefighters could not enter a burning home Sunday because gunfire kept the scene unsecured, and multiple children and adults died inside.
Police answering a domestic incident heard shots, saw smoke at the house, and found a man in the backyard; he later died at a hospital from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Fire Chief Matt Hoppel said the delay and limited access let the fire worsen until the residence was fully consumed, with water also needing to be shuttled in because the subdivision had no hydrants.
Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation, while police have not released the victim count and said more details are expected Wednesday.