Faulty Heating System Apparently Cause Of Fire

A faulty heating system is apparently to blame for a fire Wednesday at a Rathdrum duplex, fire officials said.

No one was injured, but the fire at 707 Lancaster St. caused about $8,000 to $10,000 in damages to the house, said Wayne Nowacki, Rathdrum Fire District chief.

The home, which is rented by two families, has radiant ceiling heating, Nowacki said.

No one was home when the fire started. A neighbor heard a dog barking inside the home, discovered the fire and called 911.

Robyn Boissoneau lives in one half of the duplex with her husband, son and dog. She stood outside the house, which is owned by her father, Wednesday afternoon watching firefighters put out the flames.

“They caught it really early,” Boissoneau said.

About a dozen firefighters from several agencies helped extinguish the fire, Nowacki said. The dog was rescued from the blaze.