Suspected fireworks-caused fire at duplex displaces 2 adults, 5 children

A Fourth of July fire likely sparked by fireworks caused significant damage late Friday to a north Spokane duplex.

Firefighters were called to 329 E. Wabash Ave. at 11:50 p.m. Friday.

When crews arrived, they found a fire in bushes in the south side of a duplex with flames beginning to spread into the attic, Spokane Fire Department Battalion Chief Joel Fielder said in a news release.

The fire was out within 30 minutes and firefighters helped residents retrieve some belongings. The duplex sustained an estimated $25,000 in damage, mostly to the attic. The Red Cross is assisting the residents.

Two adults and five children who live in the duplex have been displaced by the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation but fireworks are believed to be the cause, Fielder said.

Fireworks are illegal in Spokane and most of Spokane County, but that didn’t stop residents from setting them off to celebrate the Fourth of July. Pyrotechnics are believed to have caused several brush fires in Spokane on Friday night, according to the fire department, and 15 tickets were handed out in the city for illegal fireworks.

The brush fires were not confined to Spokane. The Airway Heights Fire Department, the Spokane Valley Fire Department and Spokane County Fire District 3 also responded to several brush fires Friday.

County records indicate the duplex, which was built in 1974, is owned by J.S. and P.W. Nugent, of Medical Lake.