Fire department investigating two fires at same address

For the second time in a month, the Spokane Fire Department responded to a house fire at 517 E. Liberty Ave. The owner of the house, Jack Jepsen, and several neighbors believe arson, linked to an ongoing neighborhood dispute, is to blame. “I don’t believe in coincidences,” said neighbor Jeff Miller. “There is too much surrounding it.” According to Miller and Jepsen, the residents of 503 E. Liberty Ave. are squatting. Monday, both Jepsen and Charles Knapp (another neighbor) said they called the police because they saw the residents of 503 stripping an ATV. According to Miller, when the police came they found a stolen car, a stolen ATV and a rifle. Police spokeswoman Teresa Fuller confirmed that arrests were made at 503 E. Liberty Ave. yesterday. Several hours later, Jepsen’s home was in flames. The call came in at 1:50 a.m. Tuesday. Crews reported heavy fire toward the end of the house and on the second floor. Within an hour the 32 responding firefighters had the blaze under control. Jepsen, his wife, and three children were not in the house. Spokane Fire Asst. Chief Brian Schaeffer said the fire is being investigated as possible arson. Jepsen believes the first fire, which occurred on May 4, was also arson. The residents of 503 were taking electricity from a neighboring house using an extension cord, he said. Every morning, Jepsen would cut the cord as he left for work. “We were watching them,” Jepsen said. “I was constantly watching them. And then I started noticing them watching us.” The residents of 503, who wouldn’t give The Spokesman-Review their names, deny starting the fire. “All we want is to get those people drug out of that house and boarded up and secured,” Jepsen said.” We’re sick and tired of weirdos coming through our neighborhood at all hours of the night.” Jepsen said he’s filed code complaints against 503, but the city hasn’t done anything. Suzanne Tresko, code enforcement supervisor, said there is a pending complaint against 503. The house has been abandoned for several years, Jepsen said.