Fire destroys Cougar Gulch home

The fire that destroyed a three-story home in the Cougar Gulch area on Saturday night started in the chimney while the house was occupied, fire investigators say.

There were no injuries and a cat is unaccounted for.

Owners Jason and Laura Galloway had recently moved into the home in the 3900 block of Stach Road off Cougar Gulch Road.

"The fire started in the fireplace soon after a fire was started," said Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Chief Warren Merritt. "It took more than an hour to control the fire. By the time firefighters arrived, the first floor was heavily involved."

Fire crews were called around 9:30 p.m. The estimated loss of the house and contents is $175,000.

Because water was used up from engines on scene, fire crews had to tap into in a hydrant that was about a mile and a half away near U.S. 95.

A shop and playhouse were spared from the fire and firefighters were able to prevent it from spreading to the nearby trees and dry brush.

Merritt said the homeowners indicated that they have insurance.

Tara Nelson, a friend of the Galloways, said the couple in their 30s has friends and family in the area and has found a temporary place to stay. However, she has set up a benefit account at area Wells Fargo branches called LUV4Galloways to help them get back on their feet.

"They lost everything," Nelson said. "They're the type of people who would never ask anybody for help and don't want people to fret over them."

Crews from Mica-Kidd Island, Coeur d'Alene Fire and Northern Lakes assisted KCFR during the fire.

Merritt said that, with winter coming on, it's a good time to clean chimneys and have heaters and furnaces checked out.