Firefighters respond to two overnight blazes

Spokane area firefighters put out two serious fires Monday night and in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Just after 10 p.m. Monday, the Spokane Fire Department responded to Becker’s Used Cars at 3518 N. Division St. Assistant Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer said drivers passing the business saw flames inside the building and called 911. That fire was quickly extinguished after firefighters forced entry into the building, Schaeffer said. Investigators weren’t able to work in the dark last night, but were on scene Tuesday morning to determine a cause, Schaeffer said. Spokane Valley firefighters responded to a more extensive residential fire at the intersection of North Barker Road and East Buckeye Avenue just before 2 a.m. Tuesday morning. Flames and smoke from the fire could be seen from over a mile away, according to a news release from the department. Firefighters quickly entered the building and found it unoccupied, and neighbors verified the occupants were in a safe location. The main body of the fire was under control within 15 minutes, and firefighters were able to save a portion of the structure, but the house will likely be considered a total loss. Damage was estimated in excess of $130,000.