Family escapes injuries from Pocatello bedroom fire

The family on Nora Street in Pocatello escaped a bedroom fire that happened early Wednesday morning around 1a.m.

Homeowner, Kelly Wartenbe says the cause of the fire was from her 7-year-old grandson who was playing with a cigarette lighter on the bed in the center bedroom. According to Wartenbe, the spark turned into flames when it came in contact with the microfiber of the mattress. Around 10 a.m., the smell of the fire that was, was very much still present in the air outside of the house. Burned installation foam remained in pieces all over the front lawn and drive way.

“It was hard to extinguish, we had to wait for the fire department,” said Wartenbe.

The Pocatello Fire Dept. arrived shortly after the start of the fire and extinguished it completely around 4a.m.

The fire destroyed the center bedroom as well as the majority of the second level of the house. Wartenbe says her insurance company was called Wednesday morning to come over and determine an estimate of damages.

She says the fire happened when her family was asleep, and says she’s very thankful that all of them, including the family pets, were able to escape without any injuries.

“Don’t let your grand children play with cigarette lighters,” said Wartenbe.