‘Very Special’ Neighbor Dies In North Spokane House Fire Jean Gertsch Found Unconscious After Neighbor Couldn’t Douse Flames

He tried dousing the flames with water from a garden hose.

But Trent Heinle’s efforts were in vain.

The fire only grew bigger, he said, eventually engulfing the house next door.

His neighbor, 62-year-old Jean Gertsch, died in the blaze that destroyed part of her north Spokane home early Wednesday.

Firefighters found her unconscious on the kitchen floor, a few feet from a locked back door.

She was transported to Holy Family Hospital, where she died. The cause of death was smoke inhalation and carbon-monoxide poisoning, fire officials said.

“She was a very caring person,” said Heinle. “She knew everybody and knew everything about everybody.”

The investigation may take several weeks, said Capt. Ernie Nye, who stood among the shattered glass, charred wood and other debris late Wednesday morning.

The cause of the fire at 4214 N. Martin hasn’t been determined, but officials say it started about 6 a.m. in Gertsch’s bedroom.

Gertsch, who lived in the two-bedroom home for three decades, was considered the neighborhood elder.

She baked brownies and bought Popsicles for kids, Heinle said.

“She was a very special person,” said Carol Fender, a neighbor who used to watch “Colombo” reruns with Gertsch. “I lost my best friend last night.”

Investigators found three heat detectors in Gertsch’s home, but no fire detectors, fire officials said.

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