COEUR d’ALENE — An early morning fire destroyed half of a home on Pine Hill Drive in Coeur d'Alene and claimed the life of a small dog on Thursday.

Coeur d'Alene Fire Department public information officer Craig Etherton said the department received the call at 7:15 a.m. The fire started after the homeowner emptied the ash box from her wood stove into a plastic bucket on her deck.

"She thought it was a little warm, so she put it outside — but it made a big enough fire to burn the house," Etherton said.

He said most of the bedrooms were damaged by smoke and heat. The fire gutted the family room and kitchen.

"People just need to be cautious with their wood stoves," he said. "Always dispose of the ash from a fire box in a metal container, not too close to your home."

Etherton estimated the damage to be at least $200,000.

Other than the dog, no one was injured.