Fire claims life of 2-year-old boy

By Cameron Rasmusson 
Reader Staff

A 2-year-old boy is dead following a house fire on East Mountain View Drive in North Sandpoint that occurred 12:30 a.m. Saturday morning.

According to the city of Sandpoint, house resident James Hyder, father to Andre Hyder, and another adult awoke to find the house already engulfed in flames. They were unable to reach the boy. By the time firefighters, who responded within minutes following a 911 call from a neighbor, were able to reach the boy’s bedroom, they found him already deceased.

A state fire marshal conducted an investigation into the fire and ruled it accidental, with investigations ongoing to the specific cause. Initial autopsy results indicate that Andre died from smoke inhalation, with additional toxicology results pending.

A vigil was held 6 p.m. Wednesday in Farmin Park to honor Andre’s memory. Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad also acknowledged the tragedy at Wednesday’s City Council meeting and praised the valor of firefighters who fought through the fire to recover his body.

A GoFundMe is set up at www.gofundme.com/funeral-costs-for-2-year-old-andre-hyder to assist with Andre’s funeral.