Fire that destroyed home ruled arson
Photo courtesy CDA Fire Department Multiple agencies responded to a fire that broke out Sept. 11 in Coeur d'Alene.
COEUR d'ALENE — A fire that destroyed a home and sent one person to the hospital last month was intentionally set, said investigators.
The public's help is being sought in finding a suspect in the Sept. 11 blaze at 15th Street and Stiner Avenue.
The fire, which started about 1 a.m., left four occupants without a home and sent one occupant to the hospital with first- and second-degree burns.
At the time, Coeur d’Alene fire inspector Craig Etherton said the fire appeared to have started outside and spread to the residence.
Both public and private fire investigators examined the scene.
The cause of the fire is now officially listed as intentional or arson, a press release said. A reward fund offers $5,000.
Because the fire began outside, Etherton said, smoke detectors did not wake the sleeping occupants. He credited neighbors who alerted the occupants and reported the fire with preventing additional injuries.
The State Fire Marshal’s Arson tip line has been activated for this fire.
Anyone who has information about this fire or the person or persons involved is asked to call: Tip line, 1-877-75-ARSON; CDA Fire Department 208-769-2245; CDA Police Department, 208-769-2320