Eight brush fires, one haz-mat response among fire calls

Spokane Valley firefighters responded to 217 unspectacular calls in the seven days that ended Wednesday.

Deputy Fire Marshal Bill Clifford said the calls included eight structure fires, three vehicle fires and three trash fires, all minor; and 10 automatic alarms, all false or minor.

There were eight brush fires, three of which may have been caused by carelessly discarded cigarettes. Another three of the fires were considered suspicious, Clifford said.

One hazardous-materials response, about 9:55 p.m. July 18, involved about 20 gallons of diesel fuel that had been spilled at 2020 N. Argonne Road. Clifford said a bungled fuel theft was suspected, and police were advised.

He said 15 vehicle accidents sent five people to hospitals with moderate injuries, and firefighters handled 163 calls for emergency medical service.

Young children accidentally locked in vehicles accounted for three of five calls for general service. The other two were a broken water main at 505 N. Barker Road at 4:34 a.m. on July 18 and a disabled girl who got her legs stuck in a couch on Sunday.