Firefighting crews battle intense warehouse blaze

Spokane Fire Department crews battled a two-alarm blaze Friday fueled in part by tall stacks of paper napkins.

Crews responded to the fire, which started in the 5,000-square-foot Insight Distributing warehouse, 207 N. Crestline, at about 4:55 p.m., Fire Chief Bobby Williams said. The warehouse contained five vans with gas in their tanks and restaurant supplies – paper towels, toilet paper, paper and foam to-go boxes – stacked 20 to 30 feet high.

Fearful that the stacks of paper could fall on firefighters, and because of poor visibility, crews backed out and fought the fire from the outside – another challenge because the building’s exterior is metal.

Crews expected to be there through the night. An investigator was on the scene, but it was unknown Friday night what caused the fire or the extent of the damage.

No injuries were reported. About 45 personnel responded.

Insight Distributing has been in business for 30 years and at the Crestline location for 15 years. It provides restaurant supplies to businesses around the Inland Northwest and employs about 25 people.