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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Pet cat found dead after South Hill apartment fire

A pet cat has died and three people have been driven from two apartments after a fire broke out in the Biltmore Apartments, 2727 E. 53rd Ave., fire officials say. The cause of the Thursday evening blaze is under investigation after it started in a second-floor apartment in Building D and was quickly extinguished by firefighters, according to Battalion Chief Steve Sabo. Three other apartments received varying degrees of smoke and water damage. A manager at the apartment complex said that the resident in the second-floor apartment where the fire started was not at home at the time. She and a pair of residents in the first-floor apartment below it were moved out because of heavy smoke, heat and water damage. Smoke damage also occurred in the third-floor apartment directly above the fire, but residents were able to remain there, according to the manager. The damage is estimated at $30,000. Seven fire companies with 21 firefighters responded to the fire.