In brief: Oxygen tanks cited in deadly house fire

A woman died of smoke inhalation in her northeast Spokane home after a cigarette ignited her oxygen tanks, fire officials said Monday.

Inez L. Williams, 67, had oxygen flowing when fire consumed her home at 4128 E. Princeton Ave. on Friday about 2 p.m., said Brian Schaeffer, assistant fire chief.

Fire officials ruled the accidental fire was caused by “careless smoking” with medical oxygen, Schaeffer said.

Firefighters fought through heavy flames and smoke and were hit with fragments from pressurized oxygen tanks exploding in the blaze, which also killed several dogs and cats.

“They all truly did everything they could to reach her,” Schaeffer said.

Family dispute led to attack, police say

An ongoing dispute between a man and his son-in-law culminated in a knife attack at a northwest Spokane home Friday, police said.

Vernon Ray Zielinski, 57, was arrested for first-degree assault after his son-in-law, Tad Howard, and witnesses said Zielinski stabbed him in the hand as Howard tried to fight off the attack.

Family members told police that Zielinski had threatened Howard before and once wrote him a letter saying he wanted to “cut him into little pieces” and mail him to his mother, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Police said three young children witnessed the attack at 5112 W. Rosewood Ave.

Participants sought for memory research

Psychology researchers at Washington State University are recruiting people with memory problems to participate in a study.

The research is intended to help people with memory problems and their partners.

Participants must be at least 50 years old with memory problems spanning six months or more. They must have a spouse or other family or friend willing to participate.

The study will be designed around treatment and intervention groups in Spokane and Lewiston. For more information, call (509) 335-4033, ext. 1.