Two local residents and a firefighter were injured in blazes Thursday that destroyed one East Idaho home and caused significant damage to another — leaving the victims displaced and firefighters from multiple departments responding to an estimated $550,000 in combined property damage.
In the more dramatic of the two incidents a passerby spotted a fully involved house fire at 5779 W. 4500 N. in the Plano area northwest of Rexburg at 11:38 a.m. and rushed to evacuate the home's occupant before Madison Fire Department crews arrived. The fire had already spread to a large propane tank located directly next to the house when firefighters got there.
"This incident location was more than 11 miles from our staffed station," said Ellis Johnston, a Madison Fire Department battalion chief. "Initial responders arrived on scene 13 minutes after being dispatched. Despite how far away this structure fire was, we managed to mitigate potential fire hazards and spread."
Madison Fire Department deployed three engines, two water tenders, two ambulances and three command vehicles — 22 fire personnel in total — and launched a defensive fire attack to prevent further spread and control the venting propane tank. The home was a total loss. One firefighter suffered minor injuries. Deputies from Madison County Sheriff's Office also assisted. Estimated damage is $450,000.
The home's occupant was transported to Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg. No information on the person's injuries has been released.
The cause of the fire is unknown and under investigation.
Hours later at approximately 6:30 p.m. Idaho Falls firefighters responded to a residential structure fire at the corner of Homer Avenue and Stanger Drive in Idaho Falls. Arriving crews found the resident had safely evacuated with visible fire venting from a rear bedroom window.
Firefighters deployed two hose lines and quickly brought the blaze under control. Three engines, one ladder truck, a battalion chief and two ambulances responded with two engine crews engaged in fire suppression.
Idaho Falls Power and Intermountain Gas secured utilities at the scene and chaplains were also called in to assist.
The resident was transported to Idaho Falls Community Hospital for evaluation and treatment of smoke inhalation. No firefighters were injured. Estimated damage is $100,000.
A fire investigator later interviewed the resident at the hospital and the cause remains under investigation.