Crew finds work waiting at fire station

Spokane Valley fire crews didn’t have far to go to put out a fire just after 11 p.m. Monday. It was in their own kitchen.

Crew members from Station 6 on the west end of Spokane Valley near Sprague Avenue and Interstate 90 were returning from a call when they heard a smoke alarm, said assistant fire marshal Bill Clifford. Black smoke and flames were spotted in the kitchen, and the crew put the fire out with a fire extinguisher. An additional crew was called in to help make sure the blaze was out.

The fire, which caused $5,000 damage, was traced to a malfunctioning dishwasher that had apparently been subject to a recall.

The fire had spread to the countertop before it was discovered. Fire crews moved to another station for the day while cleaning crews worked on carpets and furniture, Clifford said.