Garage fire damages vehicles

HAYDEN — A garage fire in Hayden caused heavy damage to two vehicles this morning.

Jim Lyon, Northern Lakes Fire District spokesman, said the fire reported at 7 a.m. at 2049 W. Honeysuckle was possibly caused by a discarded cigarette in the garage. An investigation continues.

The fire was contained to the attached three-car garage. There were no injuries.

The owners of the home are Jim and Lois Miller. They have insurance.

"Fortunately, because of proper construction of the home, the fire didn't go into the bonus room above the garage or the house," Lyon said. "Fire crews were able to knock the fire down pretty quickly."

A Jeep and sport utility vehicle inside the garage sustained heavy smoke and heat damage, Lyon said. Lyon estimated that more than $20,000 worth of damage was caused.

A motorcycle inside the garage had minor damage.

Lyon said Lois reported hearing a crackling noise coming from the garage and, when she opened the door, there were heavy flames. 

"She quickly shut the metal door, which prevented the fire from coming inside," Lyon said. 

Double drywall panels inside the garage against the living space also limited the damage.

"The construction did everything it was supposed to do in terms of containing the fire to the garage," Lyon said. 

Coeur d'Alene Fire and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue assisted Northern Lakes with the fire.