Firefighters injured in Post Falls apartment fire

A family lost their home and four firefighters were injured in a fire Monday afternoon that destroyed a Post Falls apartment above a storage center.

Two of the injured firefighters – whose names were not released – suffered electrical shocks.

Kootenai County Fire and Rescue spokesman Jim Lyon said officials don’t know how the shocks occurred, but the electrical charge could have been transmitted through the water from the fire hose the two men were using.

One of the men was helped out of the building and the other got out on his own. Both were taken to Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene, where one was to be released Monday evening and the other was expected to remain overnight.

The other two injured firefighters also were taken to the hospital for treatment and tests.

One fell on his back when a ladder slipped, and the other suffered minor leg injuries inside the building. Both were released Monday.

About 3:05 p.m., smoke was spotted pouring out of the single apartment atop the Stow and Go Self-Storage office building, 410 N. Greensferry Road. Stiff winds helped spread the flames to the roof of the storage facility.

The apartment had been occupied since September by Jameson Herther, his wife and his 3-year-old son.

Firefighters rescued the family’s pet snake and were able to remove some valuables and documents from the business office.

Lyon said 43 firefighters from seven departments fought the blaze.

The cause remained under investigation Monday, but Lyon said the fire appeared to have started on an upstairs deck outside the apartment.

“It’s unbelievable, completely unbelievable,” Herther said, watching smoke pour out of his home Monday afternoon.

Herther and his family lost most of their belongings, including firearms, a large-screen television, a stereo system and a computer.

The family does not have insurance, but Herther said they will be able to stay with his mother.

Herther, who works as a cook at G.W. Hunters Restaurant, said he and his wife were trying to save money to buy a home.