Blackfoot family displaced after fire destroys garage, damages home

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — A Blackfoot home was severely damaged, but the residents escaped without injury after a fast-moving fire gutted their garage Tuesday afternoon.

The Blackfoot Fire Department reports that the blaze began around 12:21 p.m. Fortunately, the department says a quick-thinking neighbor, who spotted the flames and alerted the residents. Thanks to that timely warning, everyone inside the home evacuated safely before emergency crews arrived.

As they arrived on the scene, firefighters found the attached garage completely engulfed in flames. Responding with multiple engines, the fire crews established an attack line to the garage to battle the main body of the fire. At the same time, a second crew entered through the front door to conduct a search and prevent the fire from spreading further into the home.

While the most severe structural damage was contained to the garage, the fire breached the kitchen, and the remainder of the residence sustained significant smoke and heat damage.

Firefighters gained the upper hand on the blaze by 1:04 p.m., containing damage mostly to the garage with some fire damage to the kitchen and smoke and heat damage to the rest of the home. At this time, there is no word on the estimated cost of damages.

The fire, which began on the northeast side of the garage, is still under investigation.

In the wake of the blaze, the surrounding community has responded to the resident's time of need. According to a GoFundMe page shared on the Life In Blackfoot Facebook group, the family is unable to live in the house as a result of the fire and is trying to "figure things out" for their 4 children and great-grandchild.

As of Wednesday morning, community members have raised over $1500 for the fundraiser. For more information, click HERE.