MORRILL COUNTY — About five minutes after firefighters were called to a devastating structure fire in Northport (north of Bridgeport) on Monday afternoon, which claimed the lives of a litter of puppies, emergency responders were dispatched to another fire near L62A and County Road 87.

At approximately 12:15 p.m., the Bayard Fire Department was paged to assist the Bridgeport Fire Department with a fast-moving grass fire that was threatening nearby structures. Upon arrival, the fire was upgraded to involve a structure.

With Bridgeport and Broadwater departments already en route to the Northport house fire, Bridgeport command requested Bayard take control of the scene. Mutual aid from Minatare and Alliance were immediately requested.

The first arriving units quickly focused on extinguishing the grass fire before transitioning to battling the structure fire as reinforcements arrived. Damage to the structure was limited to two exterior walls of one room in an addition to the primary building. The structure was unoccupied at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported. 

Additional losses included several hay bales near one of the buildings.

Alliance Fire Department, Northport fire, Chimney Rock Public Power and the Morrill County Sheriff’s Office also also responded to the scene.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.