14 homes destroyed by Montana fire, evacuee dies of heart attack

HAMILTON, Mont. (AP) – Officials in western Montana say a fast-moving fire destroyed at least 14 homes and may have contributed to a man’s death.

Family members say 64-year-old Bruce Robinson died of a heart attack he suffered Sunday while trying to evacuate from the fire area southwest of Hamilton.

The Roaring Lion Fire had burned nearly 7 square miles in the Bitterroot National Forest by early Tuesday. Residents of about 500 homes were evacuated or warned to be ready to evacuate.

Ravalli County Sheriff Chris Hoffman says residents were allowed back into the burned area Monday evening to check on their property. The evacuated areas were off limits on Tuesday due to expected high winds and low humidity readings that could lead to increased fire activity.