Rathdrum family escapes home fire

RATHDRUM - A fire late Tuesday damaged a home near Rathdrum and resulted in the death of a family pet.

The Northern Lakes Fire Department responded about 7 p.m. Tuesday to a fire at a home on Ramsey Road near the intersection with Boekel Road.

Though the family was home at the time, nobody was injured, Northern Lakes Fire Inspector Tyler Drechsel said.

A cat did die in the fire.

"The fire appears to have started in the basement and burned up through the floor into the living and dining area," Drechsel said. "It's a very substantial loss."

The home is insured, Drechsel said. The cause of the fire has not been determined.