Fire destroys Post Falls home
Photo courtesy of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Responders tend to a fire that destroyed a home on Kellogg Lane in Post Falls on Monday night.
POST FALLS — Investigators on Tuesday were exploring the cause of a fire that destroyed a Post Falls home on Monday night.
The blaze at 2004 N. Kellogg Lane, south of Poleline Avenue between Idaho and Spokane streets, caused an estimated $250,000 in damage, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Chief Warren Merritt said.
"The cause of the fire has not been determined and is not suspicious in nature," Merritt said. "The origin was in the area of the back deck. The home appears to be a total loss as the roof was completely burned off."
Two people lived in the insured home, but were gone when the fire was reported at 5:14 p.m.
"Due to the magnitude of the fire, a second alarm was called," said Merritt, adding that Coeur d'Alene and the Northern Lakes Fire District assisted KCFR with the fire.
Merritt said the blaze extended from the back porch into the attic.
"At one point, the structure appeared to become unstable and firefighters had to back out of the home," he said, adding that there were no injuries to firefighters.
Responders arrived seven minutes after the 911 calls to find smoke and fire coming from the rear and roof of the structure.
Merritt said the occupants have family and friends in the area to assist with their needs. A neighbor is assisting with a power source for the freezer.
Post Falls Police officers removed three dogs from the backyard during the fire and took them to a neighbor's house.
Firefighters salvaged some valuables from the home.
About 25 firefighters were on scene and the fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes. Five engines and three ambulances responded. A crew remained at the residence all night, tending to hot spots and investigating the fire.