In brief: Two hospitalized for burns after RV fire

Two people were badly burned Friday when a recreational vehicle parked behind a north Spokane home caught fire.

The man and woman, whose names were not released, were taken to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and were expected to be flown to Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center, which has the Northwest’s primary burn unit, Spokane fire officials said.

The woman, in her early 40s, suffered burns on about 65 percent of her body, and the man, in his early 50s, was burned on about 30 percent of his body, officials said.

The fire was reported about 5:18 p.m. at 5611 N. Perry St. Fire crews and an ambulance arrived minutes later to find the victims had apparently made their way from the burning RV into the house to call 911.

The RV blaze was under control in a few minutes. The cause was not immediately known, said Lt. Tracy Schoenleber with the Spokane Fire Department.

Thomas Clouse

Aerospace project seeks architect

Spokane Community College is looking for an architect to begin designing a $3.5 million Aerospace Technology Center at Spokane International Airport.

The project likely is several years off because of state budget woes, but SCC hopes to move its aerospace mechanics, painting and rebuilding programs from Felts Field to a new structure at the former National Guard site at Geiger Field.

The proposed center would be built with a combination of local and state money, said Dennis Duncan, the community college district’s capital projects director.

“Our hopes would be we’d raise money and get this designed and opened by ’12,” Duncan said.

Finding state money will be tough, he said, but the project still needs pre-design work for any discussions. The Request for Qualifications for pre-design architectural consulting work went out last month. Bids are due back early this month and an award should be made by spring.

Jim Camden

Shooting victim sues suspected gunman

One of two Washington state men shot outside a Coeur d’Alene bar last month while visiting relatives is suing the suspected gunman.

Brandon R. Burgess, 25, is improving at a Seattle hospital after surgery to remove a bullet from his stomach following the Dec. 27 shooting.

Burgess was upgraded to stable condition earlier this week, according to Harborview Medical Center.

He wants payment from 25-year-old Adam M. Johnson for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday in Idaho’s 1st District Court.

Bradley J. Phillips, 25, was treated for a gunshot wound in his knee and released from a Kootenai County hospital.

Prosecutors have recommended Johnson be charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery. He has told police he shot the two Moses Lake men Sunday out of fear.

Associated Press