At just before 2:00 a.m. on the morning of May 2, North-West Fire was called to a structure fire in the town of Alma. Initially fire units were told there were no flames, but as crews arrived in town flames could be seen shooting high into the night sky. The first arriving engine quickly made an attack and was able to knock the fire down from the outside before entering the home. In all 7 fire units and 15 firefighters as well as one ambulance were on scene. Additional engines came from Red, White & Blue and Hartsel Fire. Jefferson-Como Fire was on standby to assist if necessary.

Fire crews were forced to pull much of the ceiling and walls in order to make sure there was no hidden fire anywhere in the house. "The amount of work it took to ensure there was no hidden fire was incredible," according to North-West Fire Chief Mike Roll. "We had a very tightly constructed home that had held the smoke and heat for a long time before the fire broke out. It was a lot of hard work and all the firefighters did an excellent job of being thorough and safe." Because of the extensive damage throughout the house, crews remained working on scene until after 4:30 that morning.

The fire was reported to 9-1-1 by the owner of the home who had been sleeping. He awoke to find his home filled with smoke and heat, got outside and called for help. He was checked and released by South Park Ambulance on scene.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but appears to have started in the living room near the wood stove.