Early Morning Fire Guts Tekoa Tavern

Fire destroyed an old brick building housing a tavern and a second-story apartment in the center of this Palouse farm town.

Flames had engulfed the building by the time fire crews arrived, police Lt. Scott Palmer said. The fire had been reported about 2 a.m. Tuesday.

The Golden Grain Tavern was still standing by the time firefighters contained the blaze, but the insides were gutted, he said.

No one was hurt in the fire, and the cause was under investigation, he said.

Firefighters from Tekoa, about 25 miles southeast of Spokane, and nearby rural fire districts prevented the flames from spreading to neighboring buildings, including City Hall.