Family buys RV, watches it burn hours later

ARLEE – Good fortune turned to bad luck and a life-and-death emergency for one family who traveled to the Polson area to buy a motor home Saturday.

A fire broke out in the engine compartment while the new owner was driving home from his purchase, according to Arlee Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Drew Hendrickson.

The family pulled to the side of southbound Highway 93, grabbed a fire extinguisher and tried to douse the flames. But the fire engulfed the motor home, leaving nothing more than a few tires and part of the vehicle frame.

The fire forced Montana Highway Patrol to shut down the highway for about 30 minutes while firefighters stopped the no-longer-rolling inferno.

Eventually, a Missoula tow company transported the motor home to its new home.