RATHDRUM - A fire destroyed a Rathdrum-area shop and caused heavy damage to another on Wednesday.

The fire at 13458 W. Winch Ave., north of Highway 53 and west of North Idaho Road was reported at 11:38 a.m.

"The cause appears to be a malfunction of an oil heater," said Jim Lyon, Northern Lakes Fire District spokesman. "The origin was by the heater."

No injuries were reported.

Lyon said an adult son of the homeowners had started an oil heater in the morning in a 25-by-32 shop because he planned to do some mechanic work in there.

"About an hour later, after speaking with his folks, he looked out the window and saw fire coming out of the garage doors," Lyon said.

When fire crews arrived, the shop was fully engulfed and had spread to a 24-by-30 building that was attached by a breezeway.

A 1979 motorcycle, tools, welding equipment and an inoperative RV were among the property destroyed.

"There was several thousand dollars worth of damage," Lyon said.

Lyon estimated that 80 to 90 percent of the items in the second shop were destroyed.

The son called 911 and moved vehicles in the area to prevent the fire from spreading to them, Lyon said.

Lyon said it was unclear whether the property owners have insurance.

Hauser Fire and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue assisted Northern Lakes with the fire. Two engines and three water tenders responded.

Lyon said it's a good idea for homeowners to have their oil heaters and chimneys checked by a professional.

"This is the second fire of this nature that we've had in the past week," he said.