GREAT FALLS- Robert Louis Lamere, Jr., has been charged with three felonies in connection with a house fire in Great Falls in September.
The fire broke out at about 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at 612 Seventh Street S. Several people nearby reported hearing an explosion.
Court documents state that a police officer who arrived in less than five minutes helped a man out of a window of the house. The man, later identified as Lamere, was taken to a hospital to be treated for exposure to the fire. He was also administered NARCAN, which “had an immediate effect on him as he was nearly unconscious.”
NARCAN is often used to counteract a possible opiate overdose.
The charging documents note that Lamere’s former girlfriend had been living in the residence, but had recently moved to another town, and that the relationship had been marked by “an extensive history of violence” between Lamere and the woman.
The investigation determined that Lamere was the only person inside the residence at the time of the fire.
Court documents also note that the landlord had stopped by earlier to collect rent and found Lamere there. Lamere “exchanged words with” the landlord, and began barricading the front door with a couch, yelling at the landlord as he did so.
Lamere is charged with two felony counts of arson, and one felony count of criminal endangerment.
The Montana Department of Corrections lists a Robert Louis Lamere, Jr., as a felon with convictions in Cascade County for theft, assault with a weapon, and failure to register as a violent or sex offender. It’s unclear if it is the same person identified in this case.
