The Spokane Valley Fire Department responded to a two-alarm fire at a warehouse at 9711 E. Knox Ave. shortly after midnight Saturday.

The roof of the building that houses five businesses was on fire when crews arrived, according to a news release from the department. The spread of the fire was limited to a section of the roof that was 40 feet by 20 feet.

It was the second two-alarm fire within 24 hours for the fire department. The first was reported in an apartment building at 223 S. Sullivan Road just before 11 a.m. Friday. Only minutes after that alarm sounded, a house fire was reported in the 11200 block of East 17th Avenue. Fire engines from Spokane County Fire District 8, Spokane County Fire District 9 and the Spokane Fire Department responded to help battle the two simultaneous fires.

A resident of the apartments on Sullivan Road was forced to escape through a ground-floor window, but no one was injured. A dog died of smoke inhalation at the home on 17th.

The cause of all three fires is under investigation. The Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents.

District will hire gay administrator

MERCER ISLAND, Wash. – The Mercer Island School District says it plans to hire a gay administrator who was forced out of his job at a suburban Catholic school after his same-sex marriage last summer.

Mark Zmuda has been selected to fill the job of associate principal at Mercer Island High School, reported KING-TV.

He was forced out as vice principal at Eastside Catholic High School in December for marrying his partner.