Fire Officials: Child Playing With Lighter Caused IF Blaze

Idaho Falls fire investigators say what started as a child playing with a lighter ended in the total loss of a family’s home.

Flames broke out in a mobile home at ‘Falls Mobile Home Court’ on North Yellowstone Highway around 5:15 on Tuesday evening.

Fire crews said a woman and her three young kids were able to get out.

The fire was contained but left behind $15,000 in damage, said Idaho Falls Division Chief Dorin Howard.

Howard said the woman was treated on-scene for smoke inhalation.

Neighbors described a scary situation.

“I saw flames out of the windows over there,” said Brenda Hernandez. “Everyone was running. I came outside and got the babies, got blankets and stuff cause they didn’t have clothes on. I feel sad they don’t have a home.”

Howard said the homeowner tried to put the fire out on her own with water before getting out.