Police have revealed that two people lost their lives on Sunday afternoon when firefighters responding to a blaze in western Idaho were suddenly ambushed by gunshots.
According to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, the unforeseen blaze erupted around 2 p.m. local time as first responders arrived at the scene of a fire at Canfield Mountain near Coeur d’Alene.
The two individuals who lost their lives in the shooting are believed to be firefighters, and many others are feared to be injured, said Sheriff Bob Norris.
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For now, police are yet to determine whether there is a single shooter or multiple suspects involved but are prepared to “neutralize” the threat as quickly as possible, Norris added.
Idaho Governor Brad Little has urged the public to avoid the area, as shelter-in-place orders were issued for nearby residents after the blaze.
“Multiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho,” Little said in a post on X.
“This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters. I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more. Teresa and I are heartbroken.”
The situation is tough for those who consider the neighborhood a regular fixture but it appears everyone is prioritizing safety after the unforeseen blaze and shooting spree.
