Garages, house damaged in ‘suspicious’ fires

Two garages were destroyed and a house was damaged early Wednesday in Spokane by a fire that authorities said was “highly suspicious” and possibly related to a string of recent garage fires. The cause was under investigation.

Fire Department Battalion Chief Bruce Moline said the fire at 516 E. Montgomery was one of “numerous” recent fires – mostly garage fires – in that general area.

Moline said two garages were aflame when 25 firefighters arrived about 2 a.m. Wednesday, and the fire was spreading to two other nearby garages and an unoccupied house.

Firefighters couldn’t save the two fully involved garages, but the other two sustained only “minor to moderate” damage, Moline said. He said the house had “major exterior damage.”

Overall, Moline estimated the damage at $50,000.