Police: Home engulfed in flames after report of shots fired in Billings
Aug 23, 2026
UPDATE An active investigation continued Sunday night in Billings West End after police responded to a report of shots fired inside a home on White Star Circle, where officers found the residence fully engulfed in flames.Watch
the story here:Billings police said multiple agencies responded to the area after 6 p.m., including the Billings Police Department, Yellowstone County Sheriffs Office, Montana Highway Patrol, Billings Fire Department, and medical personnel.Officers said they were able to verify that shots were being fired from inside the residence, according to Billings Police Sgt. Jeff Stovall. A fire started at some point during the incident and quickly engulfed the entire home. One person was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not immediately known. Police had not released information about any fatalities as of Sunday night.The scene remained active Sunday night, and police said the investigation could take several days. Authorities asked the public to avoid the area, and nearby homes on the block were evacuated as a safety precaution.Neighbors described a chaotic scene as smoke and flames rose from the home.David Hiller, who lives a few houses away, said he received a call from a neighbor reporting an active shooting on the block."We could hear gunshots, he said. "I looked in my backyard, and there were like sheriffs in my backyard, my neighbor's backyard. They're running around with long guns." Hiller said he looked toward the front of the home and saw it on fire. He took photos from his driveway as the incident unfolded and livestreamed video of the fire on his social media account.It was just like black plumes of smoke, and then a full-on fire erupted," Hiller said. "We don't know what happened. We think we saw a body out front of the house that looked unresponsive.Another neighbor, Marlon Duke, said he saw the smoke and came outside after learning there was an incident nearby.This is a quiet neighborhood, Duke said. And its just kind of shocking to see something like this happen in the neighborhood. Neighbors were seen standing outside their homes as the block remained evacuated.Its just really a sad story, whatever that story is, Duke said.This is a house where you saw a family out front all the time. We don't know," said Hiller. "We just don't know.Police have not released additional details about what led to the shots being fired or the fire. The investigation remains ongoing. **ORIGINAL REPORT**BILLINGS An active scene is unfolding in Billings West End after police received a report of shots fired at a home on White Star Circle.According to Billings Police, when officers arrived Sunday evening, they found the house fully engulfed in flames.One person was taken to the hospital. There is no word yet on their condition, and authorities have not released information about any fatalities.Police are asking people to stay out of the area while the investigation continues.The active incident is at 315 White Star Circle. Media are being asked to stage at Feldspar and Onyx.More information will be added as it becomes available.
...read more
read less