Woman wakes up to loud popping sound and finds home in flames
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IDAHO FALLS — A home was severely damaged after a fire broke out in Idaho Falls early Friday morning.
The Idaho Falls Fire Department received a 911 call at 5:41 a.m. to reports of a structure fire on the 7000 block of North 5th West, according to an Idaho Falls Fire Department news release.
A woman in the home woke up to a loud popping sound and saw an orange glow coming from the outside corner of the house. She attempted to use buckets of water to put the fire out, but it quickly spread and she called 911 before leaving the home.
Firefighters arrived and discovered the fire engulfed 35 to 40 percent of the house. Four engines, four ambulances, two water tenders and a battalion chief remained on scene.
“Due to a temperature of negative 7 and a lack of fire hydrants, maintaining a constant water supply was difficult for firefighters,” an Idaho Falls Fire Department news release said. “The home had challenging structural elements, including two ceilings, making it difficult for firefighters to track down and extinguish the hot spots.”
Officials received a report that a cat was inside the home but it remains unclear if the animal made it out.
The house remains standing but has significant fire and smoke damage. The cause remains under investigation and the American Red Cross of Greater Idaho is helping the woman find shelter.
