Fires trigger winter safety reminders

Two fires in Kootenai County this week, one in a chimney and the other from burn-barrel residue, have prompted reminders from North Idaho firefighters for area homeowners to be properly prepared for winter.

At 6:05 a.m. Tuesday, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue crews were called to a fire in Dalton Gardens that filled a house with smoke and destroyed an attached garage. A car and other items, valued at an estimated $20,000, were destroyed. The fire is believed to have been caused by ashes that had been taken from a burn barrel and placed in a garbage can against the garage’s outer wall, fire officials said.

Homeowner Lisa Kiesewetter smelled smoke and discovered flames in the garage. She left the house with her 11-year-old daughter, firefighters said. Firefighters were able to rescue several birds in their cages from the smoke-filled house.

Thursday night at 10:18, firefighters rushed to a house in Post Falls after the homeowners heard crackling noises when they turned off their gas fireplace and then saw flames in the wall. The occupants, Ray, Lori and Jeanene Pitts, had just moved from California and had arrived at their new home just three hours before discovering the fire.

Firefighters removed inner and outer walls and quickly contained the fire before it spread. Still, fire officials said, the damage was running at an estimated $20,000. Improper installation of the fireplace and stove was said to be the cause, fire officials said.

Firefighters said the two blazes should remind homeowners to be aware of potential hazards as cold weather arrives. Firefighters suggest having chimneys cleaned and furnaces inspected. They also say ash from burn barrels should be cold to the touch before it is moved to other containers for disposal and should never be stored in or against structures.