Man Suffers Smoke Inhalation In Search

A Spokane man suffered smoke inhalation when he tried to enter a burning house in search of people Friday.

Spokane firefighters were called to the blaze at 1704 E. Wabash at 5:03 p.m., said Joe Stapleton, a Spokane Fire Department battalion chief.

Thomas Bertone lives in the basement of the one-story home and escaped with his 3-year-old son after hearing a smoke alarm, Stapleton said.

Bertone tried to go back inside fearing that the owner, Jeanette Keohane, and her children might be inside, he said.

No one else was inside but in trying to go back, Bertone suffered smoke inhalation, Stapleton said.

Bertone was released after treatment at Holy Family Hospital, he said.

The home’s first floor was heavily damaged by fire, Stapleton said.

The fire began in Keohane’s 11-year-old son’s bedroom, where a butane lighter was found, he said.

Firefighters aren’t sure exactly how the fire began.

, DataTimes