Whitefish firefighter hailed as hero

By LYNNETTE HINTZE

A Whitefish firefighter who had just finished a grueling mountain-bike endurance race in Oregon found himself in an unusual spot afterwards — saving another firefighter's life.

Ben Parsons, 30, a full-time firefighter and paramedic for the Whitefish Fire Department, traveled to Blodgett, Ore., for the annual Test of Endurance race on Father's Day.

He finished strong at the race (11th out of 240 racers on the 50-mile course with 8,200 feet of climbing) and was headed back to his truck to clean up when a friend noticed flames "licking up uncomfortably close" to the awning of a nearby home.

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