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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Iguana Blamed For Valley Fire

A reptile is to blame for a fire that destroyed the living room of a duplex in the Spokane Valley on Tuesday afternoon.

The living room of a duplex at 3226 S. Raymond erupted in flames after the tenant’s pet iguana knocked the heat lamp off of its terrarium, Valley Fire inspector Kevin Miller said. The fire caused $30,000 in damage to the building.

Neighbors attacked the fire with garden hoses through open windows in the back of the duplex while they waited for firefighters to arrive. Fire officials said Doug Taes and Jack Chamberlain were able to get the fire under control before firefighters extinguished the blaze.

“I was just trying to keep (the fire) down,” the 18-year-old Chamberlain said.

Taes and Chamberlain said their primary focus was to wet the deck and roof of the other side of the duplex to keep it from being damaged by the fire.

The blaze broke glass out of the living room window and scarred the duplex with black burn marks. Firefighters hauled a charred couch, easy chair and blackened clothing out of the duplex.

Dean and Sharon Brown own the duplex. Miller said they are insured.

Miller did not know the names of the tenants but said they did not have insurance. He said the Red Cross was helping the tenants get back on their feet.

The iguana is presumed to be dead.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo