Valley home burns, occupants all safe

The Spokane Valley Fire Department is investigating a house fire today in the 8100 block of South Riverway. The home was destroyed, but its occupants are all accounted for and safe, said Spokane Valley Fire Chief Mike Thompson. A woman, her daughter and her nephew live at the home. When fire crews received the call just before 4:30, they were told the mother and child may have been in the house. After a preliminary search, they found two dogs but no people. The girl is with her father, and the nephew was not home at the time of the call. The mother arrived on the scene later, Thompson said. It appears the fire started on the back deck and spread to the house. The roof collapsed, and home sustained significant damage. The fire is still under investigation, Thompson said.