Child plays with matches causing fire, destroys trailer

Firefighters responded to trailer home fire on North 31st East just before noon Sunday.

Division Chief Dave Coffey said a mom and her three sons were in the trailer home at the time of the fire.

“Fortunately, we don’t see a lot of this. It’s really sad, especially this time of year. The whole trailer is destroyed and all because of kids playing with matches,” said Coffey.

Brandy Neilson said she was getting ready to give her five-year-old son a bath and while she wasn’t looking he was playing with matches.

“I’ve been telling him matches are no good that they just cause fires and big problems and he doesn’t believe me,” said Neilson.

Everyone except for a few pets were able to get out of the trailer safely.

“We lost everything,” she said. “All of our clothes, all of our money, all of our Christmas presents, everything…”

Firefighters were able to contain the fire, preventing it from spreading to nearby homes, but the trailer home was completely destroyed. Fire officials aren’t sure of the overall value of the home.

31st street was blocked off by Bonneville County deputies, in assistance with fire containment operations.

The Idaho Falls Fire Department has a Juvenile Fire Starter Education Program for parents who feel their children are at risk.