One killed in Mullan house fire
Courtesy photo Upon arrival, emergency crews saw flames shooting out of the interior of the home.
Courtesy photo Firefighters with Mullan Volunteer respond to the house fire on Oregon Street.
Photo by CHANSE WATSON Firecrews continue to search the walls of the home for hidden hot spots after the main fire was extinguished.
Photo by CHANSE WATSON Burnt out windows on the southeast side of the home show that the fire spread throughout the entire structure.
MULLAN — Officials report that a structure fire in Mullan Thursday morning claimed the life of 53-year-old Sandra Allison of Mullan, Idaho.
Shoshone County Sheriff Mike Gunderson told the News-Press that emergency crews received the 911 call for the fire around 6:45 a.m.
Members of Mullan Volunteer Fire Department were the first crews to arrive at 324 Oregon St. and found the interior of the structure completely engulfed in flames with massive amounts of smoke coming out. Crews with Shoshone County Fire District No. 1 arrived not long after to assist Mullan Volunteer.
SCFD1 Firefighter John Miller explained that the heavy smoke coming from the home made it difficult for crews to make entry. The heavy smoke was caused by a larger than normal amount of combustible materials being present in the home at the time of the incident. Reports from individuals on scene suggest that the occupant(s) may have suffered from compulsive hoarding, which would explain the presence of the combustible materials. The fire spread throughout the interior of the home, but was eventually contained to just the single structure by emergency crews.
Allison’s body was found inside the structure by firefighters during the course of combating the blaze.
MVFD chief Patrick Nolan, who lives within walking distance of the affected home and was the first to respond, stated that Allison was already beyond care before crews even arrived on scene.
Details such as the official cause of the fire and point of origin will be released following the completion of the Idaho State Fire Marshal’s investigation. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the cause of the fire involved a space heater.
The official cause of Allison’s death will be determined following an autopsy of the body and the home itself has been declared a total loss.
Allison’s next of kin have been notified.