Fire damages business on Third Street; no one hurt

COEUR d’ALENE — A fire broke out at a business at the corner of Third Street and Birch Avenue early Wednesday morning, but investigators are still trying to find the cause.

“It could be an accidental cause,” said Coeur d’Alene firefighter Craig Etherton. “We are not seeing anything suspicious or natural.”

Etherton said investigators were still looking into the electrical and natural gas systems to determine if they may have contributed to the fire.

Etherton said a businesswoman came into her office around 7 a.m. and smelled smoke. She then noticed the smoke was coming from a heating vent, so she called 911, grabbed her pet parrot and evacuated the building.

Etherton said the fire was contained on the first floor of the building, but there is smoke damage throughout.

“They should be able to rebuild it though,” he said, adding he didn't see any structural damage. “All and all, it should be salvageable.”

Etherton said five engines responded to the scene from Coeur d’Alene Fire, Kootenai Fire and Rescue and Northern Lakes Fire. Three ambulances also responded.

He said a total of 25 firefighters knocked the flames down and mopped up the scene by 11:30 a.m.