Spokane Man Arrested In Apartment Fire

Fri., Jan. 27, 1995

From Staff And Wire Reports

A 49-year-old Spokane man was arrested Wednesday for setting fires in his apartment that caused damage throughout the second floor of his building, authorities said.

Dennis O’Donell, who lives in the Helena Apartments, S173 Adams, was booked into the Spokane County Jail for first-degree arson.

Spokane Fire Lt. Ernie Nye said O’Donell intentionally set a number of fires throughout the one-room unit. Residents were evacuated from the building when an alarm sounded about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The fire was confined to the second floor of the three-story building, officials said. Flames burned furniture, bedding and walls in O’Donell’s apartment. No one was injured.

Fire investigators found O’Donell downtown Wednesday afternoon and arrested him.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Spokane Man Arrested In Apartment Fire

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

Winners of North Idaho College raffle receive house, car, gift cards

The restoration of Idaho’s Liberty Bell replica is complete – and it’s about to hit the road

As growth heats up, two Idaho fire districts consider joining forces