Area crews knock down multiple-structure fire

LACLEDE — An multiple-structure fire Thursday morning destroyed a garage and left two homes on Riley Creek Park Road heavily damaged by the flames.

Selkirk Fire, Rescue and EMS responded to a report of a multiple-structure fire around 7:30 a.m., where they discovered a detached two-story garage fully engulfed in flames, said Selkirk Battalion Captain Kevin Amorebieta. Due to the radiant heat from the fire, two single-family homes to either side of the garage caught fire as well.

Selkirk was incident command with assistance from the West Pend Oreille Fire District. Idaho Forest Group employees were first on scene with a water truck from the mill. 

"We are an industrial mill site, but we also live, work and play in the community and it's just the neighborly thing to do," said Mike Henley, IFG plant manager. "We would do it anytime and we've done it plenty of times in the past, just trying to be a good neighbor."

Henley said the mill has a "state of the art" fire protection system on site, and the water truck is used for several purposes including fire, keeping the asphalt cool, keeping down the dust and more. It is always full and ready to go, he said.

"We were glad to be able to help," he said.

In his report, Selkirk Battalion Captain Jason Cordle credited the joint powers agreement between Sandpoint, Sagle and Westside fire crews, that make up Selkirk Fire. Firefighters from all three stations responded to the fire.

"This fire was the perfect case in which the Selkirk Fire 'regional fire protection' model performed at its highest level to save lives and property," Cordle wrote. "All responding Selkirk Fire units performed flawlessly due to common training, tactics and communication. Additionally, with the ability to move engines and crews as needed, and without borders, has and will continue to be Invaluable.

Due to the efficient response, Amorebieta said crews were able to extinguish the fire before it reached any additional homes. One of the neighboring houses was occupied, but no injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.