COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — A home under construction burned down in Coeur d’Alene due to arson on Sunday night and officials are asking for the public’s help in finding out who is responsible.
The CDA Fire Department responded to the fire around 7:20 p.m. on October 20 in a new neighborhood in the West Bastien Loop area.
The home was only partially built and surrounded by many other new and unoccupied homes.
CDAFD said because there was nothing in the house that could have caused heat or ignition, they know the fire was intentionally set.
The department is offering a $5,000 reward to anyone who offers information that leads to an arrest.
“Was it somebody who didn’t like the owner? Didn’t like the builder? Didn’t like construction in Idaho? Could be any of those things,” said Deputy Fire Marshall Craig Etherton.
Some neighbors in the area said the could see the flames from their backyards.
“Anytime you have crime that occurs this close to your home of that magnitude, of course, it’s going to be alarming,” said neighbor Phillip Edwards.
He said he was surprised and worried to hear it was caused by arson.
“I’m concerned for the elderly people that live in this area. I’m sure they’re very alarmed. I spent a career in law enforcement, so it’s not new to me, that type of incident,” said Edwards.
CDAFD said they are asking for help from anyone who may have cell phone or door bell camera video or anyone who might have seen anything suspicious while walking through the neighborhood.
“It wasn’t too terribly late into the night when the fire occurred, so we know people may have been out walking dogs or playing with the kids and they may have seen something,” said Etherton.
If you have any relevant information about the fire, you can contact the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department at 1-877-75-ARSON.
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