Firefighters halted Center Valley fire

SANDPOINT — Firefighters from the Northside Fire District and Selkirk Fire Rescue & EMS put the brakes on a structure fire that damaged a home on Center Valley Road.

Northside Fire Chief Brad Mitton said the fire started on a deck, climbed an exterior wall and entered the attic of the home. The fire was reported shortly before 11:30 p.m., according to the Bonner Dispatch call log.

There were no injuries, according to Mitton.

“Everything turned out good that way,” said Mitton.

Mitton said the cause of the fire was undetermined and it was ruled accidental.

Mitton said firefighters from both agencies mounted an aggressive attack, which included some interior assaults on the fire.

“Our crews did a tremendous job in stopping it,” Mitton said.

A damage estimate was not immediately available on Wednesday, although Mitton believes the home can be restored.

Local author and photographer Marianne Love posted to her Slight Detour blog that her son and daughter-in-law, Will and Debbie Love, were residing in the home. Debbie’s brother and mother were guests, according to the blog post.

All four occupants of the home, in addition to three “grandpuppies,” escaped unharmed and garden hoses helped keep the fire at bay while firefighters were en route, Marianne Love said in the blog post.

“In the meantime, the Lovestead has some new residents and three more Border Collies. Doggies are learning to adjust as are the people, and things have gone smoothly, considering the circumstances,” Love wrote.

The blog post can be found at slightdetour.blogspot.com.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.