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Names of Highwood Cabin Fire Victims Released, Cause Still Unknown

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Aug 31, 2010 at 5:41 PM MST

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2010 at 5:41 PM MST

A late night cabin fire near Highwood left two people dead on Saturday night. Today, their identities were released.

The victims of Saturday night’s tragic fire have been identified as 73 year old Erik Iversen and his two year old grand-daughter, Lexus Peterson.

Both are from the Great Falls area.

Emergency crews from Highwood, Fort Benton, Belt and Geyser all responded to the scene – which they say completely consumed the cabin where the victims were sleeping.

“When I arrived on scene, the cabin was totally destroyed,” says Chouteau County Sheriff Vern Burdick.

Today, all that remains of the Iversen’s family cabin on Upper Highwood Creek Road are smoldered remains and a chimney.

“The cabin was fully engulfed. The roof had collapsed and basically they were just trying to keep the fire from spreading and putting out the cabin itself,” Sheriff Burdick tells NewsChannel 5.

Geyser Fire was first on scene at the blaze, which was fully involved by the time they got there.

“Of course, we received the call out from central Montana Dispatch in Lewistown. That’s where the family members were able to make it over to the Geyser side and stopped at the first ranch there that had a phone,” Sheriff Burdick says.

Once family members were able to find phone access in the areas dead-zone, they had to wait for responders to arrive.

To even get to the fire, emergency crews had to drive their way through about seven creek passes - full of running water, sharp rocks – some over 20 feet wide.. but the only way they could access those cabins.

“The road leading up to the Iverson place is very rough and rugged. You have to cross the creek, literally, with no bridges. They probably knew where it was, but it wasn’t easy to get to,” explains Upper Highwood Creek resident Shirley Lucas.

At this time, the cause of the fire is still under investigation Sheriff Burdick says that cause may remain a mystery.

“With the state that the cabin is in, which is totally destroyed, it’s probably highly unlikely we’ll ever come up with a cause. We’ve lost some good people. They have been a part of our community up on Upper Highwood Creek for many, many years.”

Officials say that the investigation into this fire shows nothing suspicious, and that these fatalities were simply the result of a tragic accident.

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TJ said on Wednesday, Sep 1 at 9:00 PM

I'm so very saddened. Peace to the Iversen clan.

Sean and Becky Darko said on Wednesday, Sep 1 at 12:39 PM

That is too bad and my thoughts and prayers are with there families at this difficult time!

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