Man dies in Maas Loop house fire

Man dies in Maas Loop house fire

BONNERS FERRY — Coroner Mick Mellet confirmed Tuesday the death of a 74-year-old Boundary County man following a house fire on Monday.

William Kahn, 74, was reported missing after the fire destroyed his home, according to a press release issued by Boundary County Public Information Officer Mike Meier.

A body was removed from the home about 5:30 p.m., Monday, according to Meier.

A plume of black smoke rose from the trees above Maas Loop Road as first responders rushed to the fire at 546 Baldy Mountain Road the afternoon of Jan. 27.

When sheriff’s deputies and the North Bench Fire Department arrived on the scene the house was fully engulfed in fire.

The owner of the residence, William Kahn, could not be located.

All indications were that he was inside the residence, said Boundary County Michael Meier.

Rescue workers could not enter the structure due to the intensity of the fire. The roof collapsed soon after firefighters arrived, followed by the exterior walls.

North Bench Fire, with assistance from South Boundary and Hall Mountain Fire Departments kept the fire contained to the single structure. Investigators are still looking into the cause of the fire. No evidence of foul play has been found, Meier said.