Residential fire consumes home
<p>Northern Lakes firefighters Bill Clifford, left, and Bob Jaeger spray water in the upstairs left window of a house on Avon Circle in Hayden on Wednesday morning. Northern Lakes Fire Distrcit, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue and Coeur d’Alene Fire Department responded to the fire at 10 a.m. The house and two cars were at a total loss.</p>
<p>Northern Lakes firefighter Bill Clifford hoses down the area above the garage of a house on East Avon Circe in Hayden on Wednesday morning.</p>
HAYDEN - A garage fire that began in a Hayden residence destroyed a three-story home Wednesday morning, rendering it a complete loss.
Northern Lakes Fire Protection District, Coeur d'Alene Fire and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue responded and were on scene for several hours. Northern Lakes Fire Inspector Tyler Drechsel reported that one resident suffered first- and second-degree burns on his hand and hurt an ankle, and a dog died in the fire. Three of the nine residents were home when the fire began, but they all managed to get out of the house with no other injuries. A neighbor called 911 to report the fire, which began around 10 a.m.
"They basically lost everything," Drechsel said. "It is a total loss. They will not be able to move back in."
He said the residents were able to exit the home in time because they could smell smoke, but it was also a good thing they had working smoke detectors.
"At this time, the fire appears to be accidental," he said. "We don't believe it to be suspicious."
Drechsel said he believes the rental agency that manages the property is in the process of setting up some kind of assistance for the victims, whose names were not released. He said firefighters were able to provide some financial support through the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2856 Benevolence Fund, but donations are always welcome to help aid victims in a time of crisis.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
For more information about the benevolence fund, go to www.iaff2856.org.