Man credited with saving family from fire

A Bonners Ferry man is credited with getting four people, including a 3- and 4-year-old, out of a burning mobile home on Monday.

Corey Richards at about 9 p.m. was at the Commanche Court home of Kenny and Angela Yeoumans when he smelled smoke.

“I ran back to the bedroom to look for fire and seen smoke coming from the bathroom,” Richards said. “I couldn't tell where the fire was at and then seen smoke from underneath the sink.”

When he didn't spot any flames, he got the children, a baby-sitter and another adult at the home out and then called 911.

Bonners Ferry firefighters arrived within minutes to find flames shooting out the back side of the home, Richards said.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze, which burnt into the frame of the trailer on the outside, said assistant fire chief John Youngwirth.

“The fire department saved the trailer,” Richards said.

Youngwirth said the fire's cause appears accidental.

“We're still trying to find the cause,” he said.

Youngwirth believes it could've been triggered by electrical heat tape on a water pipe.

No one was hurt and the Yeoumans will be able to stay in the home.