The Idaho State Fire Marshal says a cabin fire near Donnelly last July in which four people died has been ruled an accident.
At a Thursday press conference, Fire Marshal Knute Sandahl said the fire started in a propane-fueled fireplace -– as investigators had determined early on.
Master Sergeant Erin Smith and Lieutenant Colonel James Harper III, of Boise were the two adults who died in the fire.
Erin Smith made history last year by becoming the first female armor enlisted soldier in the country when she graduated from the Army's M1 Armor Crewman school.
46-year-old Lieutenant Colonel William "Mitch" Smith of Boise, who was also in the cabin at the time, was transported to St. Luke’s McCall Hospital. He was treated and released.
Shortly after the fire, Idaho National Guard Commanding General Major General Gary L Sayler said in a prepared statement, "It is with great sadness that our thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends and loved ones of those lost in this horrible accident."
The Valley County Sheriff’s Office 911 Center received multiple calls about the structure fire at 541 Whitewater Drive in Donnelly shortly after 10 p.m. Friday, July 14th.,
Responders from Donnelly Fire, Cascade Fire, McCall Fire, Idaho State Police, US Forest Service Law Enforcement, Southern Idaho Timber Protection Association, and the Valley County Sheriff’s Office responded and found the structure was fully engulfed.
