Fires destroy, damage homes

Two people, a cat and dog lost their 102-year-old home, while another family was left without a bathroom after fire ravaged a pair of Spokane residences Wednesday.

The larger of the two fires erupted about noon, destroying three-quarters of the century-old home near East Bridgeport Avenue and North Perry Street. It burned the front room of the house and tore a massive hole in the roof, Spokane Fire Department Battalion Chief Craig Cornelius said.

Between 28 and 30 firefighters arrived to help battle the fire, which was contained within about an hour, he said.

One resident, who refused to give his name, said he was watching a science fiction movie when he lost his cable TV. When he went to investigate, he said, he found the kitchen engulfed in flames. He saved his dog but lost everything in his room, including a new TV, he said.

“I got shorts and a T-shirt,” he said, sitting on the steps of a home across the street. He put his hand on his head. “And a headache.”

The American Red Cross responded to care for the two residents, Cornelius said.

Minutes before firefighters arrived at that fire, they were wrapping up at a fire at 1225 E. Crown Ave. that destroyed a bathroom and section of roof. Twenty-two firefighters responded to that fire, which was reported about 10:30 a.m., Cornelius said. A man, woman and two children lived in the 94-year-old home, he said.