Family Escapes Burning Log House

A log house that was built illegally was destroyed by fire Monday morning north of Loon Lake.

Stevens County Fire Marshal Dave Jones said a family of five narrowly escaped the burning house shortly after 7 a.m.

“It occurred when they were still in bed,” said Jones. “(The father) awoke to the sound of fire crackling in the ceiling. It was already fully involved at that time.”

The name of the owner of the house was not available. The children, all boys, included a 7-year-old and two toddlers, said Dave Philips, chief of Stevens County Fire District 1.

Jones said the fire apparently started where a wood-stove chimney cut through the ceiling.

The stove, a portable electric heater and the broiler in the kitchen range were the family’s only sources of heat, Jones said. The house, built with small pine logs, didn’t have a foundation.

“They put it (the house) up a year or a year and a half ago without permits” and with temporary electrical service, Jones said.