In brief: Aquarium equipment overheats, causes fire
Equipment for a tropical-fish aquarium caused a power strip to overheat and catch nearby items on fire, starting a basement blaze in a northwest Spokane home Friday morning.
The aquarium broke and crashed to the floor, killing the fish and waking up the only resident at home about 7:50 a.m., according to a Spokane Fire Department report. He escaped from 3928 N. Elm St.
Eighteen firefighters were able to knock down the fire in about 15 minutes and limit most of the damage to the basement. However, the main floor sustained heavy smoke damage, the report states.
The blaze caused about $50,000 in damage, but the family’s clothes and furniture largely survived.
– Nick Eaton
Teens can investigate career in journalism
High school students interested in a journalism career can get an introduction in the field starting next week at The Spokesman-Review.
The newspaper is participating in the Explorer program, a Boy Scout initiative designed to introduce teens of both genders to different jobs.
Members will explore news, sports, business and entertainment reporting, Web presentation, photography and opinion writing. Students also will discuss current industry topics, take tours of newspaper facilities and receive tips on pursuing a career.
There also could be opportunities to work with The Vox, a student-to-student monthly published by The Spokesman-Review and produced by an all-student staff.
The Explorer post will meet twice a month starting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at The Spokesman-Review building, 999 W. Riverside Ave.
For more information, contact Jonathan Brunt at jonathanb@spokesman.com or (509) 459-5442 or Sara Leaming at sarale@spokesman.com or (509) 459-5533.
–Jonathan Brunt
Assessor’s office plans to close for luncheon
The Spokane County assessor’s office will be closed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday so the staff can attend an appreciation luncheon.
Assessor Ralph Baker plans to take his staff to lunch to show his appreciation for their work. He will pay for the event with his own money, a county spokeswoman said.
– John Craig
Accident blocks traffic on Maple Street bridge
Traffic was blocked in both directions on the Maple Street bridge Friday after an injury accident on the north side of the bridge, Spokane Police reported.
One man was hurt, but his injuries were not life threatening, police said. He was taken to a hospital.
About 12:15 p.m., a man was working under the hood of his apparently disabled truck on Maple Street when another vehicle crashed into it, police said. The impact pushed the stopped truck and the man into a light pole, which fell across the southbound lanes of Maple Street.
The names and ages of those involved were unavailable.
– Staff reports