Fire Forces Pair Out Of New Home

An attic fire Sunday caused extensive smoke damage inside the home two Coeur d’Alene residents had moved into just five days ago.

Kootenai County Fire District firefighters responded to the late afternoon blaze at 1525 Fairmonth Loop Road, south of Coeur d’Alene.

The fire started when a recessed lighting fixture in the kitchen ceiling overheated, said Deputy fire chief Don McNett.

When he saw smoke coming from a light above the kitchen sink, Michael McKinney, 30, had time to rescue a collection of sports memorabilia, guns, a motorcycle, guitar and computer.

“Every TV in the house went outside,” he said.

He said he tried to fight the fire from the roof, kicking off the attic vents and spraying water in with a garden hose.

“I did it ‘til I couldn’t breathe,” he said.

McNett said it took 18 firefighters 25 minutes to knock down the blaze. He estimated damage at $20,000. Most of it was in the attic, he said, with smoke and water damage throughout the home.

McKinney and a woman living at the home were treated for smoke inhalation. , DataTimes