Rekindled fire claims Sagle house

SAGLE — A Lakeshore Drive home was destroyed Sunday by a fire which rekindled after firefighters conducted their final sweep.

There were no injuries, although the two-story home in the 7600 block of Lakeshore was a complete loss, said Sagle Fire Chief Rob Goodyear. The contents of the home firefighters were able to save in the first blaze were also lost.

The occupants of the home, a couple and their granddaughter, spent Saturday night in a trailer on the property, said Goodyear. The couple’s names were not disclosed.

Goodyear said the couple has insurance, but it might not cover all the losses.

Firefighters initially responded to the home at about 12:15 p.m., after receiving a report of a chimney fire. Goodyear said the blaze was extinguished and firefighters removed all the cellulose insulation in an attic.

Cellulose insulation is composed almost entirely of recycled newsprint.

“We left the scene at about 3. We went back there at about 7 o’clock that night, as we routinely do, to make sure there were no hot spots and no fire activity,” said Goodyear.

After conducting the sweep, firefighters left.

“Six o’clock Sunday morning we get a call for a structure fire at the same address,” said Goodyear, who remembered having a “sick feeling” in the pit of his stomach.

When firefighters returned a third time, the house was being overrun by flames and in the process of collapsing.

Goodyear said the origin of the second fire is unclear, although he suspects the loose-fill insulation was a factor.

“It certainly creates a higher potential for rekindle than your standard fiberglass insulation,” he said.

Goodyear said his heart goes out to the victims. In 34 years of fire fighting, Goodyear said he’s never responded to a fire which rekindled.

“I feel very badly about this and I take full responsibility,” he said.