Rags start fire in Valley home

Improperly stored rags sparked a fire at a Spokane Valley home on Thursday. Firefighters believe the rags, which were used to stain benches, spontaneously combusted, causing more than $20,000 in damage to a home in the 16800 block of East 20th Court. The homeowner was treated for minor smoke inhalation. The fire was contained to the basement, but investigators said the rest of the home suffered smoke damage. The Spokane Valley Fire Department reminds people to leave rags for staining or varnishing wood outside or in a bucket of water.