Rathdrum man loses home in fire

A Rathdrum man lost his home after it was engulfed in flames in a two-alarm fire Wednesday afternoon.

The homeowner was transported to Kootenai Health with unknown injuries after the 12:35 p.m. fire, which broke out at 3427 Scarcello Road, according to Jim Lyon, Northern Lakes Fire District spokesman.

Because of the severity of the fire, crews rushed to protect other structures near the home, including two sheds and a barn. Some nearby structures sustained fire damage, but the barn did not, Lyon said. However, the home was a total loss.

It is unknown whether the homeowner had insurance.

The cause of the fire is still undetermined, but the homeowner told crews an ember came out of his woodstove’s open door and landed on a reclining chair.

Crews from Northern Lakes, Spirit Lake, Hauser Lake and Timberlake fire departments responded.