Victim in fatal fire identified as Spokane man, 45

A man who died in a fire at a home west of downtown Spokane has been identified as Perry L. Herriman, 45.
The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Herriman’s identity after an autopsy Monday. Fire officials say Herriman was dead when fire crews found him in the third floor of a burning home at 1914 W. First Ave.
Two other residents were hospitalized for some inhalation and burns they sustained while escaping the fire.
The fire began in a sofa-style chair in unit 4 on the second floor, said Assistant Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer. Schaeffer said he …

A man who died in a fire at a home west of downtown Spokane has been identified as Perry L. Herriman, 45.

The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Herriman’s identity after an autopsy Monday. Fire officials say Herriman was dead when fire crews found him in the third floor of a burning home at 1914 W. First Ave.

Two other residents were hospitalized for some inhalation and burns they sustained while escaping the fire.

The fire began in a sofa-style chair in unit 4 on the second floor, said Assistant Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer. Schaeffer said he hopes to release the cause of the fire within the next few days.

Neighbors and fire crews used ladders to rescue two people from the roof before crews were able to access the third floor. Heat, flames and a very narrow stairway slowed progress, fire officials said.

Fire crews were dispatched to the blaze at 7:58 p.m. and arrived within two minutes to find the house, which had been converted into apartments, engulfed and residents stranded.

The Red Cross is helping approximately 10 adults who have been displaced by the fire.