North Side home damaged by fire

A North Side home has sustained significant smoke and fire damage this evening. Spokane fire crews responded to 717 E. Rich Ave. after fire was reported at 7:28 p.m. They found smoke coming from the house. They entered through the back door, and saw flames in the basement, and saw the fire advancing up the stairs toward the second floor, fire officials said. Crews had the fire knocked down in about 20 minutes. Officials believe the single-family home was vacant at the time of the fire. An investigator has been called in to help determine the fire’s cause.