Juveniles blamed for garage fire

POST FALLS - The fire that caused extensive damage to a detached four-unit garage building in Post Falls on Wednesday is believed to have been caused when a group of juveniles were present, investigators say.

"There were five kids in the garage and it sounds like one of them lit paper on fire with a lighter and, when it became too hot, one of them dropped it and the fire spread from there," said Dan Ryan, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue division chief. "It was kids doing kid things. We don't believe that the intent was to do any damage."

The unit where the fire started in the wooden garage building at 3385 W. Lilac Court around 4:30 p.m. was a total loss. The units on both sides from where the fire started sustained heavy damage. The fourth unit was not damaged.

Items destroyed in the unit where the fire started included furniture and photos. Lawn furniture, automotive parts, tools and other miscellaneous items were destroyed in the two other units.

A 2000 Toyota pickup was also damaged and the vinyl siding of an apartment next to the garages melted.

"Damage was considerable and the cost of the damages would be thousands of dollars," the police report states.

Investigators are trying to sort out which of the juveniles is responsible for starting the fire before they file charges.

Police reviewed a surveillance video showing the juveniles in the area of the fire.

"They run westbound and return within moments with what appeared to be cups in their hands," the police report states. "It appeared they made attempts to retrieve what was likely water in an attempt to extinguish the fire to no avail."

The property is managed by KWI Properties.

Northern Lakes Fire also responded to the fire.