Man And Bird Escape House Fire

Tue., Sept. 2, 1997

From Staff And Wire Reports

A Spokane man and his pet cockatoo escaped unhurt Monday when fire destroyed their South Hill house, firefighters said.

The blaze began about 6:20 a.m. inside the two-story rental at 1224 S. Ash.

Tenant Scott Cotter was sleeping on his couch on the first floor when he was awakened by a blaring smoke detector, said Garry Miller, city fire marshal.

Cotter looked down to see the couch was on fire, likely ignited by a smoldering cigarette.

When he couldn’t smother the flames, Cotter tried to push the couch out the front door, Miller said. But the burning sofa got stuck in the doorway.

Cotter then ran next door and called for help.

His cockatoo, which was not in its cage at the time of the fire, managed to escape and was recovered later that morning, Miller said.

The fire gutted the inside of the house and caused minor damage to an adjacent residence.

, DataTimes

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