Boise firefighters bill man $15,000 for saving his home

BOISE – A man whose home is outside Boise but was mostly saved by Boise firefighters late last year when it caught fire has been billed about $15,000 by the city.

The Nov. 4 fire in the Wildhorse subdivision damaged the home belonging to Gary Campbell.

The blaze drew four engine company crews, a ladder crew, and crews operating three water tender trucks that brought water to the fire because the subdivision has no hydrants.

Boise Assistant Chief Dave Hanneman said crews put out the fire after receiving a 911 call about 8 p.m. He said they chose to fight the fire rather then watch it burn.

He said it would be unfair to Boise taxpayers to not bill Campbell as residents of the subdivision don’t pay for fire protection.

Campbell sent the bill to his insurance company but said he hasn’t heard whether it will be covered.

“If (fire officials) would have brought it up right after the fire, I could have taken it to my insurance carrier,” he said. “I don’t know if this fits into my coverage.

“When you haven’t heard from them in eight months and then a bill just shows up … well, that is surprising.”