Apartment fire forces 40 to evacuate

Spokane fire investigators are trying to determine the cause of a blaze that broke out at a three-story apartment that forced almost 40 residents to evacuate. There were no injuries Saturday night. In a news release, fire officials said the fire started in a room on the third floor, at about 11:30 p.m. When fire crews arrived at the apartment, they found heavy smoke in the building. The fire crews shut off the gas line to the building and didn’t turn it back on until Sunday morning. So no one was allowed to return to the building Saturday night. The American Red Cross helped 10 families find accommodations for the night and provided food for them Sunday morning. Fire officials said the damage was contained to one apartment. Forty-two firefighters were called out to the blaze.