POST FALLS — A house fire that caused heavy damage to the attic displaced a Post Falls family on Monday night.

The fire reported just after 8 p.m. at 14289 W. Prairie Ave. is believed to have started in an overhead bathroom fan, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Chief Warren Merritt said.

"A resident was using the vacuum cleaner when a breaker tripped, shutting off the power," Merritt said. "It was also discovered that the power in the bathroom was off and shortly thereafter another tenant stepped outside the home and saw smoke coming from the eaves of the house. The damage was limited to the bathroom and attic area."

Aaron and Tierra Morgan, who have children ages 3 and 4, were renting the home on Prairie near McGuire Road from Marty Hansen. They evacuated the home before fire crews arrived.

"Unfortunately the renters' insurance had just been canceled as they will be in the process of moving into a home they just purchased," Merritt said.

The American Red Cross was called upon so the family could have a place to stay in the interim. The Firefighters Local 2856 Benevolent Fund that is funded by firefighters also provided financial assistance.

Merritt said the total amount of damage was estimated at less than $10,000.

The fire was under control in about 30 minutes as some areas of the attic were difficult to reach, Merritt said.

Crews from Northern Lakes, Coeur d'Alene and Hauser Lake assisted KCFR in the incident.