Fire destroys man’s business, home

A Coeur d’Alene man tried to extinguish a Sunday afternoon fire that ultimately devastated his business.

Firefighters were called about 5:30 p.m. to N.W. Inland, a vinyl and leather repair business at 6685 E. Seltice.

Toby Parker put out a fire in the corner of the building with a garden hose but didn’t realize fire was still burning in the attic, according to a Kootenai County Fire and Rescue news release.

A Kootenai County Sheriff’s deputy spotted the fire and called firefighters. Parker tried again to put out the fire but was pulled back by the deputy.

Hot woodstove ashes in a cardboard box was the cause, fire officials said.

Parker’s housing, food and clothing also were destroyed. The American Red Cross is assisting him.

Parker has no insurance, although the building itself was insured by his landlord.