Deputy rescues family from burning home

A Bonneville County deputy got a family out of a burning house on Valentine’s Day.

According to a news release from the sheriff’s office Tuesday, Deputy Austin Flegel was patrolling south of Idaho Falls and noticed some smoke around 8:20 a.m. Saturday.

He found that heavy black smoke was coming from the garage attached to the home at 61 E. 97 South and alerted fire crews.

Flegel opened the front door and yelled the house was on fire. Two adults and a small child were sleeping upstairs, and two children were in the basement. As Flegel helped the two children in the basement get out of the house, “the family dog did his job and bit the back of his foot, luckily biting his boot only.”

“In this circumstance, the Rowberry family was happy to be woke up by a law enforcement officer – everyone except the dog,” the sheriff’s office said.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated, but authorities said it’s likely a four-wheeler’s battery charger is to blame.

“This officer, you know, was in the right place at the right time at this location, and no doubt it could have been a different story if he hadn’t had been there,” said Sgt. Jeff Edwards with the sheriff’s office.

The American Red Cross of Idaho & Montana has provided food and clothing to the family. The family has made its own arrangements for housing, the Red Cross said.

To help the family, go to http://www.gofundme.com/mistrk.