Saturday, October 12, 2024
 
Click HERE to sign up to receive Eye On Sun Valley's Daily News Email
 
Fire Ravages Bigwood Home
Loading
Firefighters were able to put the fire out by Wednesday afternoon but not before the fire did some major damage.
   
Thursday, September 26, 2024
 

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.

 
Loading
Firefighters take a look at the blackened home.
 

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.”

~  Today's Topics ~


Wood River YMCA Fills Fall with Apples and Parenting Programs

Taxpayers Get a Big Break on Supplemental Levy

Steadfast to Offer Therapeutic Healing for Survivors of Sexual Abuse
 
 

 

 

 
Website problems? Contact:
Michael Hobbs
General Manager /Webmaster
Mike@EyeOnSunValley.com
 
Got a story? Contact:
Karen Bossick
Editor in Chief
(208) 578-2111
Karen@EyeOnSunValley.com
 
 
Advertising /Marketing /Public Relations
Leisa Hollister
Chief Marketing Officer
(208) 450-9993
leisahollister@gmail.com
 
Brandi Huizar
Talent / AE
(208) 329-2050
brandi@eyeonsunvalley.com
 
 
ABOUT US
EyeOnSunValley.com is the largest online daily news media service in The Wood River Valley, publishing 7 days a week. Our website publication features current news articles, feature stories, local sports articles and video content articles. The Eye On Sun Valley Show is a weekly primetime television show focusing on highlighted news stories of the week airing Monday-Sunday, COX Channel 13. See our interactive Kiosks around town throughout the Wood River Valley!
 
info@eyeonsunvalley.com      Press Releases only
 
P: 208.720.8212
P.O. Box 1453 Ketchum, ID  83340
LOGIN

© Copyright 2023 Eye on Sun Valley