Two alarm fire burns house converted into apartments

A West Central home converted to apartments was heavily damaged in a fire reported just after 10:30 p.m. Friday, the flames fanned by blustery winds. Fire was visible in an upstairs apartment when firefighters arrived at 1024 W. Boone Ave. A second alarm was sounded to help deal with the wind driven fire that took about two hours to put out. The extreme cold caused problems with the firefighters’ breathing apparatus, said Spokane Fire Department Battalion Chief Bob Green. Water also quickly froze on the ground around the home, making it dangerous for firefighters. A sand truck responded to put down sand and an STA bus provided a place for residents to get out of the weather, Green said. One firefighter slipped and fell on the ice. Information posted on the Fire Department’s Facebook page Saturday indicated that a woman and a 7-year-old child were forced to jump from a second story window to escape the flames. They received minor injuries. There were a total of eight people inside the five apartment units. The roof and second floor were severely damaged by fire and the lower floors were damaged by smoke and water, Green said. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents.