Brush Fire burns two homes in Pocatello

Fireworks are being blamed for starting a brush fire in Pocatello late Thursday night. The fire burned two homes, along with some sheds and fences on Bitterroot Drive.

The fire department said one home was completely destroyed, while the other was severely damaged,

Police said they know who started the fire, but no charges have been issued against the man. They said charges will come from the prosecutor’s office.

Pocatello Police said the man was lighting fireworks near his home on Goldfield Drive around 10 p.m. One of the shells caused dry weeds and brush to catch fire.

Nearby homes were evacuated and sent to a shelter at Franklin Middle School.

The fire was near Portneuf Medical Center, but was never evacuated.

Fire crews were able to contain the fire around midnight. Residents were allowed back to their homes around 1:00 a.m.

Victims of the fire are being helped by Red Cross and the city by providing needed supplies and rooms at a local hotel.

Other families also were forced to stay at a hotel as power and natural gas were turned off in the neighborhood.

Watch our updates this morning on Local News at 5 and 6 a.m.