Alleged arson fire destroys North Spokane apartment

An intentionally set fire destroyed an apartment at 5414 North Martin Street early this morning, according to the Spokane Fire Department. Ruth Edmonson, 53, was arrested at the scene on a charge of first-degree arson, Assistant Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer said. According to a release, Edmondson set several fires in her own apartment, unit 1 in the three-unit, single-story complex, destroying her unit and caused smoke damage to another. The apartment on the west end of the complex was fully engulfed in flames when crews arrived around 2:10 a.m., according to a release. Firefighters were able to contain the flames to the one unit, although a neighboring apartment received smoke damage. The apartment loss was listed at $50,000. The Red Cross and Avista were on scene to assist the fire department.