Plantes Ferry Park trash can fire investigated

A few small fires kept Spokane Valley Fire Department crews occupied the week of Oct. 27 to Nov. 2 but there were no major incidents reported.

Someone lit a trash can on fire in a restroom at Plantes Ferry Park the morning of Oct. 27. The can was destroyed and the bathroom will need new paint, but there was no major damage, said Fire Marshal Kevin Miller. The incident is under investigation.

The burning of yard waste and other debris is illegal within the department boundaries, but it seems there are always a few violators. On Nov. 1 crews responded to the 6300 block of North Lynden Road, where a homeowner was burning railroad ties and lumber, Miller said. A homeowner in the 18200 block of East Riverway Avenue was caught burning pine needles on Nov. 2.

Other calls from Oct. 27 to Nov. 2:

Oct. 28: Construction crews dug up a natural gas line at the Sunshine Terrace assisted living facility in the 1100 block of South Raymond Road. The facility had to be evacuated while the leak was fixed.

Oct. 29: A water main break was reported in the 700 block of South Rotchford Drive. Crews discovered that leaves had clogged the drain and were able to fix the problem.

Oct. 31: An unattended camp fire was reported in the area of Sergeant Road and Appleway Avenue.

An oil tanker transferring oil spilled a large amount of it on the ground at 11916 E. Empire Ave. The Environmental Protection Agency was notified. The company was to dig up and remove the contaminated soil.

By the numbers: Crews responded to 264 calls from Oct. 27 to Nov. 2, including 221 for emergency medical services. The calls included 11 car accidents and two residents who had locked themselves out of their homes.