LEWISTON, ID – One person was injured in a structure fire which destroyed a Lewiston home today. Fire crews were dispatched at 10:59 a.m. to the reported house fire at 0120 24th Street.
“Initial reports to 911 was that an explosion was heard and that there was a house on fire. Enroute crews could see a large column of black smoke in the area and the first arriving units arrived within 4 minutes and found a one story home full engulfed with fire,” a press release says. “Crews were told that everyone was out of the home and that there was one patient that was burned. The patient was treated by Lewiston paramedics and was immediately transported to a local hospital.”
Due to the extent of the fire and with an all clear of occupants from inside, fire crews fought the fire from the outside with large hose lines. Damage to the home is a total loss to the structure and contents.
Because of the large amount of fire, crews had to call in a backhoe from the City of Lewiston Street Department to assist with spreading out debris outside the home and assisting crews with opening up a portion of the home so the fire could be knocked down.
Fire Chief Travis Myklebust says it is not uncommon to use a backhoe on fires.
The cause of the fire is being listed as undetermined. Fire crews remained on the scene throughout the day to continue extinguishing hot spots.
A total of 26 personnel responded to the fire which included aid from Clarkston and Clearwater Paper Fire Departments. Off-duty personnel were also called back to the stations for additional staffing and they responded to four emergencies while crews were fighting the fire. Lewiston Police also assisted by blocking nearby streets.
The American Red Cross was called in to assist those who were living in the home.
