POST FALLS - Russ Bottelson spent Wednesday morning packing refrigerated items and necessary belongings.

But it wasn't his choice.

Bottelson is among about 20 residents of Falls Park Apartments temporarily displaced after an early morning blaze caused by a cigarette destroyed three units. Nine other units were damaged by fire, smoke or water.

"It was like a dream," said Bottelson, who lives on the third floor of the building and had his bedroom ceiling collapse. "I looked outside and saw flames shooting across my balcony. I threw on a pair of pants, a shirt, grabbed some valuables started knocking on doors. Then I heard someone yell, 'It's going to blow.'"

Most of the 41 residents in the 24-unit building were evacuated, but a few, including one woman who didn't want to be identified, didn't wake up until after the fire was out and after the evacuation process.

The fire at 302 W. Fourth Ave. next to Falls Park was reported at 1:42 a.m. Shaena Dunn, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue spokeswoman, said the fire started on a second-story balcony of the three-story complex.

Linda Bell, who lives in the apartment building next to the one that burned, said the flames were massive.

"I haven't seen a fire like that in many years," she said. "The flames went up 20 feet or more. Thank God everybody got out. I thought the whole building was going to go."

Dunn said fire walls in the building slowed the fire from spreading horizontally to more apartments until firefighters arrived. KCFR, Northern Lakes, Coeur d'Alene and Hauser responded.

No arrests or citations have been made, and an investigation continues.

Complex manager Tina Smithson said the private owner, who she declined to identify, has insurance. She said it was too early to have an estimated cost of the structural damage.

Some of the affected renters have insurance on their personal contents, while others don't.

"We have a great community," Smithson said of those willing to pitch in and help. "We're doing what we can."

Kayla Tucker, Smithson's daughter, took in some of the displaced residents in her unit, which is in the same building but was not damaged. Others consoled the residents with blankets and conversation.

"It's a close group, so that helps," Bell said.

Bottelson is moving in with his daughter until he can move back to his apartment. Other affected residents are receiving housing assistance through the American Red Cross, friends, churches, apartment neighbors and the complex's vacant units.

"The main thing is that nobody got hurt," he said. "The rest of this is just stuff."

Karen Duke, who along with her husband, Casey, lives on the ground level below the fire, had standing water in her apartment.

The couple have renters insurance and are being assisted by their church where Casey is a youth pastor. The two and a friend spent the morning taking out furniture and other items to dry off.

"We woke up when we heard police pounding on doors and evacuating people," Karen said. "When we walked out, we could see the orange glow on people's faces (from the fire). It was an eventful night."