Fire destroys home in Metolius

Jefferson County fire investigators are looking for the cause of a fire that destroyed an unoccupied home in Metolius late Tuesday afternoon, officials said.

Jefferson County Fire District No. 1 crews were dispatched around 4:50 p.m. to the structure frie at 425 Hood Avenue in Metolius, said district Public Information Officer Tom Jaca.

The information from Frontier Dispatch was that smoke was coming from a house and it was not known if anyone was inside, Jaca said.

Crews were on scene within about 10 minutes and with an interior attack were able to quickly knock down the blaze, Jaca said.

The occupants of the residence were not home at the time of the fire, he added.

Three engines, a rescue truck and two command apparatus, with a total of 17 firefighters were on scene for two hours.

Losses were estimated at $100,000, said Jaca, who added that the “home is primarily a complete loss due to heat and smoke.”

The occupants declined Red Cross assistance, due to family help, Jaca said.