Rathdrum fire: 'But it was our tin can'
<p>Members of the Northern Lakes Fire District work the scene of a structure fire on Tuesday that consumed a mobile home on Meadow View Court in Rathdrum early Tuesday morning. The single-story house was home to a family of four, who all escaped with no injuries.</p>
<p>The burned remains of a mobile home on Meadow View Court in Rathdrum are seen following a fire early Tuesday morning. Deputy State Fire Marshall Bill Steele estimates the property suffered at least $50,000 in damages</p>
<p>Northern Lake Fire District Firefighter Justin Brodin uses a chain saw on Tuesday to separate the charred frame of a wall as crews investigate a early morning Tuesday fire that destroyed a home in Rathdrum.</p>
COEUR d’ALENE — The pain was clear in Danielle Chaney's voice as she described what went through her mind not even 12 hours after her family's home went up in flames.
"Right now, we're just kind of in a haze, trying to wrap our minds around what happened and thankful we are safe," she said Tuesday afternoon. "Our vehicles were burned and smoked in and windows shattered. It hit us all the way around, our home, our vehicles.
"Everything. It's just all gone."
Danielle, her husband, Brandon, and one of their daughters escaped through the back door early Tuesday morning after a fire that started at 1:25 a.m. engulfed their home on Meadow View Court in Rathdrum.
Northern Lakes Fire Protection District Deputy Marshal Jim Lyon said the cause has not been determined and the investigation is ongoing.
"People were out in the neighborhood (Monday) night and saw flames coming out of the front porch," he said. "One of them went to the side of the house to alert people and I understand (Danielle) noticed heavy smoke and flames coming in from the porch."
The family was able to escape with their two dogs, Lyon said, but the home is not livable. He said Deputy State Fire Marshal Bill Steele came on scene and estimated the home loss and fire damage to be about $50,000.
This is even worse news for the Chaneys, who have no insurance. Danielle explained they had temporarily taken the insurance off their home to decrease monthly bills and save money to move the 14-by-70-foot mobile home to a piece of property and live off the land.
"It's the first time in 17 years we've been together and we haven't had insurance on our house, so that's kind of a blow," Danielle said. "We wanted to save up and try to live our dream. We make jokes that it was a tin can, but it was our tin can ... It's just heartbreaking. You spend 17 years accumulating your life and it's all over in minutes and there's no rhyme or reason as to why."
Danielle said her neighbors were wonderful for bringing them sweatshirts, shoes and blankets as they stood in their pajamas and witnessed their home and belongings being destroyed.
The firefighters were also moved to help the displaced family by tapping into their benevolence fund. The benevolence fund allows fire crews to provide immediate financial help in emergency situations. It's supported by local fundraisers that give 100 percent of proceeds back to the community.
"We give back to the community for people who are experiencing a financial crisis," Lyon said. "It's an emergency response-type fund. We can do it at our discretion, no questions asked."
Although he would not disclose the amount, he said the money from the benevolence fund will help replace some items, but it was just "enough to get them started."
"These folks, not having insurance, need help to get the kids clothes for school or food items," Lyon said. "They're going to have to do all this by themselves."
To learn more about how to help the Chaney family, contact daughter Kae Myers at Kashley.chaney94@gmail.com or 930-5624.