Athol home a total loss following fire that injured 1

ATHOL — One person is being treated for burn-related injuries following a Wednesday morning structure fire in Athol. 

Selkirk Fire was dispatched to the 800 block of Road 22 just before 10 a.m. Wednesday morning, after Bonner County dispatch reported a house on fire with residents evacuating, according to a press release from the agency. 

Chief 1201, Careywood's Station 4, and Sagle's Station 3 responded to the incident. Timberlake Fire, Northside Fire and Sam Owen Fire were requested as mutual aid in addition to Bonner County EMS. Idaho Department of Lands firefighters were also requested to help contain the fire that had spread into surrounding vegetation.

Careywood's Engine 1223, staffed with one firefighter at the time, arrived on the scene to find the residence fully engulfed, as well as a burn victim requiring immediate medical care. 

BCEMS arrived on scene and initiated patient care while the Engine 1223 firefighter initiated his size-up and fire attack. Additional firefighters arrived on the scene to assist with firefighting, water supply and containment. 

The residence eventually collapsed, at which point firefighters continued the attack defensively in order to prevent the fire from spreading further. 

"Firefighters faced common challenges on this incident that included limited access to the fire, inadequate water supply for the amount of fire, and insufficient personnel for the complexity of the incident," the press release said. "Life safety always comes first. Treating a burn patient and initiating fire attack is simply impossible with one person."

Firefighters remained on scene through Wednesday evening to ensure full containment of the fire, the cause of which is under investigation. 

The residence was a total loss, according to Selkirk Fire.