Arson Claims Old Packing Plant

Sat., Nov. 14, 1998

By Angie Gaddy angieg@spokesman.com

Parts of an old Otis Orchards apple packing plant were destroyed by arson, Spokane Valley Fire District officials said Thursday.

Valley firefighters responded to a call around 10 p.m. Wednesday that turned into a three-alarm blaze and wasn’t extinguished until about 3:30 a.m., said Valley Fire Chief Pat Humphries.

The western portion of the warehouse at 121103 E. Gilbert Road was destroyed. One or more cars and a boat trailer that were parked inside the building also were destroyed.

Investigators did not have damage estimates.

The building is owned by Roger Crawford, according to tenants.

The fire is the third in the Valley in little more than a month believed to have been intentionally set. Fire investigators do not believe they are related.

Parts of South Hill Baptist church on Coleman Road were damaged by fire in September. Two weeks ago, a fire destroyed Giovannis restaurant on Dishman-Mica Road.

Witnesses at Wednesday night’s fire in Otis Orchards said a boarded-up door appeared to have been broken into. A fuel can was found near the building.

Fire officials are still investigating.

Humphries said 12 engines and seven water tenders were called to the scene. One firefighter was taken to a hospital, treated for smoke inhalation and released.

The wooden building, built in the 1920s, now houses an upholstery business.

Business owner Jerry Scott said he and family members were able to salvage their motor home, cars and equipment after they were called at home around 10:30 p.m.

But all of Scott’s fabric for the upholstery business was destroyed by smoke.

“I have a couple of jobs to finish. I still have a sewing machine, but no electricity,” Scott said Thursday afternoon as he and family stood by the motor home they saved from the blaze.

The building sits south of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad tracks. Trains had to be stopped for 2-1/2 hours while firefighters battled the fire from the north.

This sidebar appeared with the story: REWARD OFFERED A reward of up to $12,200 is being offered for information about this week’s fire at the old Otis Orchards apple packing plant. Anyone with information is asked to call (800) 55-ARSON.

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