Three-alarm blaze routs tenants
Fire damages north Spokane apartment complex
About 15 people were displaced by a three-alarm fire in the Autumn Ridge apartment complex in north Spokane on Thursday.
Thirteen fire units showed up to quell the blaze in the 7000 block of North Colton Street, which started around 3:30 p.m. There were no reported injuries, authorities said.
Firefighters rescued some pets, but it was 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 it started.
At least seven apartment units were damaged, said fire department Deputy Chief Dave Leavenworth. At least three are a total loss, Leavenworth said.
The Red Cross and Autumn Ridge apartment management were working Thursday afternoon to set up temporary living arrangements for displaced tenants.
Cody Eaton, a tenant, had 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.