Structure fire among 235 calls

The Spokane Valley Fire Department responded to 235 calls during the week of July 29 through Aug. 4.

On Tuesday, fire crews responded to a structure fire at 9402 E. Valleyway Ave. at 12:15 p.m. The fire originated in the garage, and the cause might be ballast from a fluorescent light bulb.

“We’re trying to decide if that was it or if it was something in the corner,” said Deputy Fire Marshal Bill Clifford. He said there was a newer-model Toyota Camry in the garage that sustained some smoke and heat damage and damage from the garage door which fell on top of the vehicle.

Clifford said the estimated value of the damage of the fire is still under investigation.

Fire crews also responded to 17 other structure fires.

There was one vehicle fire which might have been caused by the car’s fuel injector. That fire was quickly extinguished and caused minor damage.

The department responded to one brush fire last Thursday at 2:09 p.m. at 20812 E. Watson Lane. Clifford said the fire was caused by an illegal burn, and one person was cited for reckless burning, a gross misdemeanor, which carries a $5,000 fine or one year in jail.

Clifford said Spokane Valley Fire also responded to 15 building alarms. He said the alarms were false, accidentally set off or were caused by burnt food.

There were 175 emergency medical responses and one hazmat response for the smell of natural gas. Nothing was found in the latter.

There were 20 motor vehicle collisions and six people were transported to the hospital by ambulance for their injuries. There were four service calls – one for an overflowing water tower at the Industrial Park, two for people locked out of their cars and one for someone locked out of their home.