Cabin theft sparks feverish search by Washington police

A US family spoke of their "dumbfounded shock" after arriving at their holiday cabin only to find it stolen.

Chris Hempel from Spokane, Washington, reported the three-by-six metre structure stolen on Tuesday after finding only the cement blocks where the cabin used to be, KHQ News reports.

"Drove up to (the cabin) expecting it to maybe be broken windows, maybe a little vandalism, something stolen from the front of it," Mrs Hempel said. "We walked up and it was gone."

"It's frustrating when you work as hard as you do and get things you enjoy to have and someone comes in and steals it from you."

The Hempels have a name for their $9,000 lakeside retreat: "Hempel Hideaway."

But despair turned to joy on Thursday after police, working off a tip, found the cabin 16 km from its original foundations.

"We think someone stole it to live in it," said County Sheriff Kendle Allen, adding the property where the cabin was located was also home to "heavy equipment".

KHQ News said a person had been arrested for the theft and charges are pending.