In brief: Guard sickened by battery fumes

Dangerous fumes were vented Sunday from the Safeco building in Liberty Lake after a security guard was hospitalized while investigating a report of a “funny smell,” authorities said.

Spokane Valley firefighters were dispatched to the scene, 22425 E. Appleway Ave., at 8:19 a.m. and ordered a temporary evacuation of the building.

The security guard was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was treated and later released, according to the fire department.

The source of the fumes was determined to be hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide from an overheated bank of backup batteries, the fire department said.

Pedestrian hit, killed near Four Lakes

A 62-year-old Cheney man who was crossing the road was hit and killed by a 16-year-old motorist Sunday in the Four Lakes area.

Petrick P. Rogers was pronounced dead the scene of the crash, which occurred at 8 p.m. at milepost 16 along state Highway 904, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The driver, Chase A. Walter, was not cited for the crash, which investigators attributed to weather. Walter’s 1992 Ford Explorer was still drivable after the crash, WSP said.