In brief: Resident suffers ‘extensive’ burns

A man was at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle after sustaining severe burns in a fire Friday in downtown Spokane.

The Spokane Fire Department responded to the fire at 2:36 p.m. at Avondale Court apartments at 229 W. Second Ave.

Witnesses reported the victim, who has not been identified, was “on fire in the hallway of the first floor,” a Fire Department news release said.

He suffered third-degree burns on about 60 percent of his body, the news release said, as well as significant airway burns.

“That’s pretty extensive,” Battalion Chief Clive Jones said.

The man was first taken to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, then airlifted to Harborview. The fire was contained to the one unit, he said, and there is about $10,000 in smoke and fire damage to the structure. A fire alarm and sprinkler system helped confine the fire to one unit and notify residents they needed to evacuate, the news release said. Investigators were still looking into the cause.

Graduation moved for UI law school

The potential for nasty weather on the Palouse today has forced the University of Idaho in Moscow to adjust plans for its law school commencement.

The ceremony, which was scheduled for outdoors, instead will be held at the Idaho Commons Food Court. The National Weather Service has warned there is a chance of strong thunderstorms in the area beginning about 2 p.m., university spokeswoman Joni Kirk said. The law school ceremony is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.

A decision on the main commencement ceremony, scheduled for the Student Activities field east of the Kibbie Dome beginning at 9:30 a.m., will be announced by 7 a.m. today, Kirk said. Those heading to the ceremony can check for updates on the university’s website, www.uidaho.edu, or the UI’s Facebook page or Twitter feed.