Spokane Valley duplex fire closes road

A portion of Broadway Avenue in Spokane Valley was shut down for part of the afternoon today as crews from the Spokane Valley Fire Department put out a fire in a duplex. The fire was reported at 12720 E. Broadway just before noon today. The first crews on scene found smoke and flames coming out a broken window, said Capt. Jeff Bordwell. One firefighter was able to partially knock down the flames from outside. “He grabbed the line and put it out through the window,” Bordwell said. Firefighters were initially told that no one was inside, but after a few minutes a woman said her husband and 2-year-old son might be inside, Bordwell said. Firefighters searched the home but found no one. It was later determined that the man had left the scene with his son before crews arrived, Bordwell said. The fire started in a bedroom and the cause is still under investigation. The three adults and three children living in half of the duplex are being assisted by the Red Cross. The other side of the duplex is vacant. Damage is estimated at $20,000 to $30,000.