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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Man found dead post-fire

Victim died of smoke inhalation

Spokane Assistant Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer demonstrates where the body of a 50-year-old man was discovered in the closet of a flame-damaged apartment building at 1203 W. Eighth Ave. on Thursday night. (Colin Mulvany)

Authorities found a dead 50-year-old man in the closet of a fire-damaged Spokane apartment building Thursday night.

The victim, identified as John K. Reintjes, was found dead about 10 p.m. in his first-floor apartment unit at 1203 W. Eighth Ave., said Assistant Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer.

He was lying in the fetal position on the closet floor and concealed by clothing which had fallen on top of him after the plastic hangers that held them melted from the intense heat.

Authorities believe Reintjes crawled into the closet to seek refuge from the heat and smoke after the fire started in a small back bedroom of his unit, where he was likely sleeping when the fire broke out.

People can quickly become disoriented when a room fills with smoke and noxious gases from burning furniture and other materials, Schaeffer said.

“It’s a real tragic incident,” said Spokane Fire Chief Bobby Williams.

The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office on Friday said Reintjes died from smoke inhalation.

Fire crews responded about 4:19 p.m. Thursday. It initially appeared nobody had been injured.

After firefighters put the fire out, they let investigators process the scene before clearing out debris. Investigators discovered the body after clearing out the room’s charred remnants. Reintjes lived there with his girlfriend, who was not home at the time.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but authorities believe it was accidental, started by a lit cigarette or candle. The batteries had been removed from the home’s smoke detectors.

“It’s really important to make sure you have an operating smoke detector and you test that smoke detector,” Schaeffer said.

Fire damage was mostly contained to Reintjes’ unit, though three of the six units had smoke damage. The American Red Cross responded to assist the displaced tenants, who won’t be able to return until the homeowners make repairs.