STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Occupants of a home in the Bigwood neighborhood of Ketchum escaped from their home just before it became engulfed in flames early Wednesday morning.

Their pets escaped, as well.

Firefighting was complicated by the cold roof construction and wooden shake roofing—the same two factors that made it difficult for firefighters to battle the Warm Springs Lodge fire and the Limelight Condo fire.

The Ketchum Fire Department was dispatched to a fire alarm at 1:51 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, according to Daniel Hansen, information officer for the City of Ketchum. Flames could be seen at the 7,000-square foot home within two minutes.

The occupants and pets were alerted to the fire by the fire alarm and able to evacuate. One of the residents was evaluated by EMS on the scene but was not transported to the hospital.

Thirty-five firefighters from Ketchum, Sun Valley, North Blaine County, Hailey and Wood River Fire Departments responded.

Ketchum Fire Department Fire Chief Bill McLaughlin originally thought firefighters might have to battle the blaze into the evening and possibly into Thursday. But by 2 p.m. the fire was out and a few firefighters were standing in a corner of the yard analyzing the scenario as a faint hint of smoke wafted across the Bigwood neighborhood. The state fire marshal has been requested to do an investigation.

Windows were broken and the interior blackened. Shingles ripped off in the inferno, and parts of the lawn were blackened and soggy. A tree in the front yard was singed halfway up.

McLaughlin said a combination of factors made the firefighting difficult.

“The home was built before most recent codes were adopted, so it was built without fire sprinklers or adequate ladder truck access. In addition, the combination of cold roof construction and wooden shake roofing makes operations difficult,” he said.

McLaughlin said he was grateful for the assistance from the valley’s fire departments: “A fire like this takes the whole valley to fight.”