Overnight house fire likely arson, investigators say

Spokane Fire investigators are saying a house fire at Pacific and Helena just east of downtown is likely an arson. The fire broke out Sunday night just before midnight. The fire battalion chief said that the fire originated in a bedroom closet just off the main entrance. Because the house was vacant, and because there was no electrical elements in the closet, fire crews became immediately suspicious that the fire had been intentionally set. The initial fire call came from a neighbor who said she smelled smoke and looked out her window to see two people running from the home. Then she saw the smoke in the house and called 911. That information led fire crews to label the cause of the fire suspicious, and likely arson. Damage was contained to that front bedroom.