83-year old woman dies in Harlem fire

An 83-year-old Harlem woman died of smoke inhalation in a fire that destroyed her house Thursday.

Blaine County Undersheriff Frank Billmayer said Dorothy Belden died in the fire, which was reported at 7:35 a.m. Thursday.

Her husband, 87-year-old Harry Belden, was able to escape.

Firefighters said the house was fully involved when they arrived on the scene.

The sheriff’s office said it was an electrical fire and no foul play is suspected.

Harlem Mayor William Taylor said he did not know the Belden’s very well.

“I knew him a little bit, but she was awfully quiet, awfully private — that’s my impression,” he added.

Taylor also expressed his feelings about the case.

“It’s so sad that at his age, he got out of that house, and he lost all of his possessions, and his wife and his home and his car, all at the same time.”

The Harlem Fire Department referred questions to the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office.

Chinook and Fort Belknap firefighters, Indian Health Service Ambulance, Harlem sheriff’s office deputies and Montana deputy state fire marshal, Dick Swingley were called to the scene.

Billmayer said no additional details have been released.