In brief: House fire called suspicious

Mon., May 21, 2012

The cause of an early Sunday morning blaze appears suspicious and remains under investigation after the Spokane Fire Department responded to a fire in an unoccupied home on East Sprague Avenue.

Crews responded at 3:40 a.m. Sunday to reports of a fire at 2623 E. Sprague Ave., Battalion Chief Steve Sabo said in a news release. First arriving firefighters found heavy smoke and flames coming from the one-story brick and wood-frame home.

While some crews forced their way into the home to attack the “rapidly advancing fire” on the west exterior of the building, others searched the home and discovered it was unoccupied, Sabo said. It took crews five hours to finish at the scene.

The fire in the house, which has had multiple additions added to it over time, caused about $40,000 worth of fire, smoke and water damage, Sabo said.

The cause appears suspicious because the house was unoccupied and investigators determined that the origin of the fire was on the home’s exterior, Sabo said.

Thomas Clouse

Donations will give veterans a free lunch

Organizers of the Vernon Baker Memorial Day Lunch for Veterans are seeking donations to give veterans a free lunch.

The restaurants participating are Capone’s, both the Coeur d’Alene and the Post Falls locations, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Fedora from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Michael D’s, from 8 a.m. to noon.

Last year, 169 veterans received a free meal. Only veterans eat for free and proof of military service is required. RSVP by May 25 by calling (208) 667-1539 or (208) 667-8284.

Donations will be given to the participating restaurants to offset the cost. About $350 has been raised so far.

Tax-deductible donations can be made to the VFW Post 889 with “Veterans Lunch” in the memo. Mail donations to organizer Eric Soles, c/o Edward Jones, 211 E. Coeur d’Alene Ave., Suite 104, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814, or to Patti Leach, c/o Edward Jones, at 3518 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815.

Staff report

Officials presume missing diver is dead

SEATTLE — A diver is missing and presumed dead after running out of air while spearfishing.

The man, 59, was one of two people spearfishing off the southern shore of Blake Island at midday Sunday. The Port Orchard and Seattle police dive teams responded, along with the Coast Guard. His identity was not immediately released.

Associated Press

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