Spokane Valley fire roundup: Two suspicious fires reported near Arbor Crest
Spokane Valley Fire Department investigators are looking at two early morning fires considered suspicious that were discovered on July 30.
The first was called in as a fire next to the road in the 11400 block of East Fruithill Road around 3:30 a.m. When a crew arrived they found a 100-by-50-feet grass fire and put it out, said department spokeswoman Melanie Rose.
When they were finished the crew continued driving up the hill to find a spot to turn their truck around when they discovered a second fire in brush and trees. Additional crews were called in to help put it out, Rose said.
Other calls from
July 25 to Aug. 7
July 25: A malfunctioning barbecue grill caught fire and damaged a deck and portable awning in the 8900 block of East Longfellow.
July 29: A driver in the 700 block of North Argonne Road reported hitting a tow hitch in the road that punctured her gas tank. A crew cleaned up the estimated 25 gallon gasoline spill.
July 31: A report of unauthorized burning was received in the 11500 block of East Sunview Circle at 8:49 p.m. The homeowner said she didn’t know of the burn ban in place and said she would put her fire out. A crew was called back to the same address for the same reason at 10:32 p.m. The case has been referred for an investigation and possible fine.
Aug. 6: A gas line fire was reported in an RV parked in the Wal-Mart parking lot at 5025 E. Sprague Ave. The owner used a fire extinguisher to put the fire out before crews arrived.
Aug. 7: A crew was dispatched to a lightning-started fire in the 21005 block of East Saltese Lake Road. While they were on their way they were redirected to a second lightning strike fire at 5825 S. Saltese Lake Road. Fire District 8 and the Department of Natural Resources also responded.
A cooking fire was reported in the 10800 block of East Augusta. The homeowner said she had gone outside while leaving cooking oil on the stove.
By the numbers: Crews responded to 726 calls in the two weeks of July 25 to Aug. 7, including 581 calls for emergency medical services. Other responses included 41 car accidents, a water rescue near the Bowl and Pitcher in Riverside State Park and a request by the Sheriff’s Office to provide a ladder truck for aerial pictures of a crime scene.