Man dies in Post Falls fire

POST FALLS — A 61-year-old man died after a mobile home fire in the Post Falls area early this morning.

Randy Messenger, the lone person at the residence at 3250 Echo Dr. off Corbin Road, was transported to Kootenai Health, where he died of smoke inhalation, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Chief Warren Merritt said.

The fire was reported at 12:26 a.m. The cause has not been determined and is under investigation.

"It does not appear to be suspicious at this time," Merritt said.

There was not a working smoke detector at the home, Merritt said.

When notified, fire crews received a report that there could be someone inside the residence. The fire was visible when firefighters arrived.

"Crews located the victim, removed him from the trailer, initiated CPR and transported him to Kootenai Health," Merritt said. 

Merritt said the back half of the structure was fully involved upon arrival and Messenger was found in the front end in the living room.

"After firefighters made initial entry, they were chased by the heat," said Merritt, adding that they then accessed the structure through the second door. 

The fire was contained to the structure and an adjacent utility pole. There were no animals inside.