One hurt, several displaced in apartment fire

COEUR d'ALENE — One person was hurt and several families displaced in an apartment fire early Saturday.

Coeur d'Alene firefighters were dispatched to the multi-family complex near the 1000 block of West Emma Avenue about 1:30 a.m. 

Initial crews upgraded it to a three-alarm blaze with heavy smoke showing from two floors and the roof, according to a press release. Multiple fire agencies from within the county were called in.

 A 60-year-old female resident suffered second- and third-degree burns and smoke inhalation and was rescued from her apartment that was engulfed in flames. She was initially transported to Kootenai Health and then taken to Harborview trauma center in Seattle.

No other injuries were reported.

Initially the fire displaced occupants in 18 units. Avista was able to restore power to 12 units which did not sustain significant fire or water damage. 

Families and their pets from six units were displaced due to fire or water damage. Several were assisted by Red Cross.

The fire is under investigation.

"This fire appears at this time to be due to an accidental cause," the release said.