Officers honored for saving lives at fire

Three Spokane police officers have received Lifesaving Medals for helping evacuate a burning building in June.

Many tenants sleeping inside the apartment units at 1405 N. Lincoln were unaware the building was on fire until Officers Ben Yinger, David Beckley and Mike Russo started pounding on their doors, said police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer DeRuwe. The three were honored Tuesday night by Chief Anne Kirkpatrick during a brief ceremony.

Yinger and Beckley were patrolling in the area of North Lincoln Street on June 1 when a citizen waved them down and pointed at the glow of a structure fire, DeRuwe said. The officers looked to see the second level of the apartment engulfed in flames.

Russo soon arrived on scene, and all three pounded on and kicked in doors until they were sure everyone was out, DeRuwe said.

The officers woke up many sleeping people, including at least three young children and a disabled woman, DeRuwe said.

Everyone got out of the apartment building before it was destroyed by flames, fire and police officials said.