Multiple people, including children, were killed after a home in Billings, Montana, was engulfed by fire following an incident involving gunfire, authorities said Monday. Yellowstone County Interim Sheriff Kent O’Donnell said law enforcement has identified everyone involved in the incident, including a suspect. He declined to release the names, ages or other identifying details of those who died, saying the investigation remains ongoing. The incident began as a family disturbance at a residence on White Star Circle. According to O’Donnell, gunshots could be heard in the background of the initial 911 call. Firefighters arrived at about 6:02 PM but encountered gunfire, preventing them from immediately carrying out normal fire suppression efforts, Billings Fire Chief Matt Hoppel said. Officials said securing the area and protecting the public were the first priorities as the situation became increasingly complex and dangerous. The home was completely consumed by the flames. Because there were no fire hydrants in the area, firefighters had to transport water using trucks, further slowing their response. However, they were able to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby homes, officials said. A man was found outside the home with what authorities described as a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Billings Assistant Police Chief Shawn Mayo said he was taken to a hospital, where he later died. Officials said the victims included multiple adults and children. Nearby properties sustained some minor heat damage. Authorities have not yet determined what caused the fire and expect the investigation to continue for the next several days. O’Donnell said there is no ongoing threat to the public and that he expects to release more information Wednesday. Naman is a copy editor at Times Now, with over three years experience in covering US News, politics, global affairs, sports, and other domains. Apart ... View More