15 people displaced in three-alarm apartment blaze

About 15 people have been displaced in a three-alarm fire in the Autumn Ridge apartment complex in North Spokane. Thirteen fire units showed up to quell the blaze, which started around 3:30 p.m. There are no reported injuries, authorities say. Firefighters rescued some pets but it is unclear whether any animals died or were injured in the building. The cause of the fire is under investigation, and firefighters are unsure about where in the apartment it started. At least seven apartment units were damaged, a fire department spokesman said. At least three are a total loss, said Deputy Chief Dave Leavenworth. The Red Cross and Autumn Ridge apartment management are working to set the displaced tenants up with temporary living arrangements. Cody Eaton, a tenant, just left work when the fire broke out. A neighbor rescued one of Eaton’s dogs and safely escaped the flames. Firefighters managed to save his other dog soon after. But they couldn’t save Eaton’s apartment. “From the looks of it right here, it’s going to be a total loss,” he said, standing with his back to the collapsed roof of his home just yards away. Eaton said he and his wife Heather will stay with family in town for the time being.