Idaho Falls, ID:  The Idaho Falls Fire Department was dispatched at 7:50 a.m. on Jan. 13 for a report of a structure fire at the 300 block of Easy Street in Idaho Falls. The reporting person told dispatch that the fire appeared to be in a garage behind an apartment complex and that there was black smoke coming from the structure. 

Two ambulances, three engines, the ladder truck and a battalion chief responded. Intermountain Gas and Idaho Falls Power responded to secure utilities, and the Idaho Falls Police Department assisted with traffic and pedestrian control. 

When firefighters arrived they reported smoke showing from the northwest corner of a single story garage. The garage was detached from the apartment complex and had three other garage units within the structure. Firefighters reported having the fire extinguished by approximately 8:11 a.m., keeping it from spreading to other nearby structures. 

IFFD’s Fire Prevention and Investigation Division responded and determined the point of origin was in the engine compartment of a vehicle parked inside the garage, an Idaho Falls Police Department 2013 Dodge Charger patrol car. Reportedly the car was not running and had been parked inside the garage for at least a week while the officer was off duty. The officer was not inside the garage when the fire started. There were no injuries to civilians or first responders.  

The patrol car and contents inside the car were a complete loss and are valued at approximately $20,000. There was structural damage to an adjoining garage unit as well as damage to the siding, garage doors, and eaves of both units. There was smoke damage throughout the entire structure.

“While we were able to determine that the point of origin of the fire was inside the engine compartment, the exact location within the compartment and the cause of the fire is undetermined at this time,” states IFFD Public Information Officer Kerry Hammon. 

No other information is available at this time.      

Media Contact: Kerry Hammon, Public Information Officer, (208) 612-8122, khammon@idahofallsidaho.gov.