House damaged, garage destroyed in north Spokane fire

Fire destroyed a garage and part of a home Wednesday afternoon, sending a pillar of dark smoke over north Spokane.

Neighbors watched as firefighters doused the blaze at 5609 N. D St.

Spokane Fire Battalion Chief Mike Thompson said firefighters had to remove vinyl siding from the back of the house and cut a hole in the roof because fire got into the attic.

“The rest looks like it’ll be OK,” Thompson said.

Homeowner Ken Beck said he was in the house and happened to see flames coming from the shop window.

“It all went downhill from there,” he said.

Beck fled the house barefoot and called 911. He said he has lived there since 1983.

His current roommate is a remote-controlled car enthusiast and kept numerous electronic parts in the garage, he said.

Beck’s BMW sedan also was in the garage.

“I’ve been hoping for a new car, but this isn’t how I planned to get it,” he said. “But hey, nobody got hurt and everything is replaceable.”