Apartment fire sends two to hospital

POST FALLS - Two people were taken to the hospital and a cat died in an apartment fire Saturday at the Parkside Apartments, 120 E. 19th Ave.

Kootenai County Fire and Rescue responded to the fire, which was reported shortly after 7 p.m.

KCFR Fire Chief Warren Merritt reported that the five-unit, single story apartment building had one unit heavily involved in fire, spreading to a second unit when KCFR resources arrived on scene approximately six minutes from the initial call.

The fire grew quickly and was through the roof and from the eves of the structure when the fire crews began an aggressive fire attack that kept the fire contained to units B4 and B5. The occupants of both units were transported to the hospital for possible smoke inhalation. There were no reported injuries to firefighting personnel. There is smoke damage throughout the building, Merritt said.

A cat perished in Unit B5, where the fire apparently started. The cause of the fire is under investigation. There is no immediate estimate on the damage to the structure and contents. The damage was extensive in Unit B5 with all contents being considered a total loss. The fire was brought under control in less than 30 minutes. KCFR personnel remained on scene for several hours for investigation and to make the sure the fire was completely out.

Merritt said the Red Cross was on the scene to assist with housing for displaced residents in all five units in Building B. The power to the building had to be disconnected as a safety precaution for firefighting personnel.

Northern Lakes Fire District and the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department responded to assist with fire suppression efforts and medical care for one of the occupants who was taken to the hospital.

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involved in the organization grow up in Coeur d'Alene and has seen their passion for the skating community in the city grow as well.

"All of a sudden they're adults and they have children," he added. "Skating has been their life, they're passing it on to their kids, and they want something better for their kids."

One of those individuals is Jason Olsen, who serves as the president of CDA SK8 PRK. Olsen, 41, told The Press that he grew up skating and met his best friends, as well as his wife, through the sport.

"Now, as I'm sharing that passion with my kids, I'm really trying to change the negative perception in this community," he added.

On Sunday, the organization's efforts will be on display along Sherman Avenue for GO Skate Day. Olsen said the group has organized events like GO Skate Day for a few years as a way to inform residents of the growing extreme sports community right in their backyard.

"They all have done very well and every year we strive to take our case and mission to the next level," Olsen said.

At 10 a.m., participants will meet at Java on Sherman, located at 819 Sherman Ave., to prepare to parade downtown to the current skate park. Once 11 a.m. hits, skaters of all ages will "bomb" down the street, showing off their talents along the way.

After the parade, festivities will begin at the skate park and local punk-rock band Scatterbox will provide the background music.

"In the past we have had events like farthest board toss and highest ollie," Olsen said. "Some prizes will be handed out, but mostly it's for fun and to build community among our skaters and bikers."

The event is free of charge, and Olson said his group will be accepting donations and selling T-shirts and food with 100 percent of the proceeds going toward the new park. For more information, visit http://on.fb.me/1IAwNkO or www.cdask8prk.com.

"Come and support a positive lifestyle that teaches kids persistence, individuality and self-expression while meeting some new friends," Olsen said.