Man’s body found in burning Hangman Valley home

Investigators are examining the cause of death of a man found inside a burning home this morning near Hangman Valley Golf Course south of Spokane. Firefighters were called to the scene by neighbor who saw smoke coming from the home, 12036 S. Player, said Spokane County Fire District No. 8 Deputy Fire Chief Lonnie Rash. Officials have not identified the man. County property records say the home is owned by Shawn Lerner, but neighbors said a different man, a transmission repairman, lives at the address. Rash said the fire appears to have started in the kitchen and spread to the finished basement. The body was found in the kitchen. Firefighters from a station at 61st and Palouse Highway arrived seven minutes after the call was received, Rash said. One crew went upstairs and put out the fire. Another searched upstairs and found the body, Rash said. Spokane County Sheriff’s Sgt. Dave Reagan said detectives were on scene to investigate the death. “At this point we don’t know anything but there was a fire and a deceased person inside,” Reagan said. Rash said, “I have nothing to indicate that it was anything but accidental.”