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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

2-alarm fire response

Twenty-two firefighter apparatuses battle blaze on North Forker Road

A two-alarm fire burned a home in northeast Spokane County Thursday that was described as packed with items like in an episode of the TV show “Hoarders.”

The fire at 13819 N. Forker Road was reported at 5:49 p.m. A plume of dark smoke could be seen for miles from the wooded area in northeastern Spokane County.

Forker Road was closed off as 22 firefighter apparatuses battled the blaze.

The home is owned by Darrell and Beverly Bjerke.

Their son, Dennis Bjerke, said the home was packed with “everything you can imagine.”

“They don’t throw anything away. They never have,” Bjerke said. “I’ve been trying to come up with a way to help them.”

He said the 2-acre property includes the home and a shop. He said the home “hasn’t had running water in who knows how long.”

Firefighters were expected to remain on scene through the night.