Officials probe arson fires

The Spokane Valley Fire Department is dealing with two groups of arson fires, one of which destroyed numerous outbuildings and vehicles.

Crews were called to 8317 E. Alki Ave. shortly before 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 12 by residents who reported finding their back porch on fire. As firefighters worked to put out the fire, a member of the crew noticed that a tree down the block was on fire, said department spokeswoman Melanie Rose.

The crew member investigated and found a fire in a field behind four homes in the 500 block of North Sargent Road. Several vehicles and outbuildings burned, including a boat, but firefighters were able to keep the flames from spreading to the homes.

“It’s truly amazing that the houses that were right next to that area were not touched,” Rose said.

Both fires were intentionally set. The fire on Alki spread to a van parked next to the house, destroying it.

Three suspicious fires have been reported in the area of 5900 N. Ormond Road in the past week. The first small grass fire was discovered a few hundred feet away in the 23700 block of East Joseph Avenue at 12:15 p.m. on Aug. 3. The fires on Ormond were found at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 13 and 1 p.m. on Aug. 14.

Investigators believe all three were intentionally set and are asking nearby residents to be vigilant and report anything unusual.

Other calls from Aug. 10-16

Aug. 11: A fire was reported in a paper shredding truck at 3808 N. Sullivan Road. The fire was confined to the mechanical portion of the truck.

Aug. 12: A cigarette in a potted plant started a deck fire at 9700 E. Maringo Drive around 1 p.m.

Aug. 14: A crew and brush truck were sent to the Reach Fire near Chelan.

Aug. 15: A brush fire thought to be caused by a cigarette tossed from a car started along Interstate 90 near Park Road. The flames quickly burned through a field and threatened several homes. A wood shed and a home were slightly damaged. An illegal backyard fire was reported in the 5000 block of North Campbell Road. As the crew was returning to the station they spotted another backyard fire in the 21800 block of East Wellesley Avenue.

Aug. 16: A cigarette in a potted plant started a deck fire in the 13600 block of East 13th Court.

By the numbers: Firefighters responded to 325 calls from Aug. 10-16, including 241 calls for emergency medical services. Other calls included a water rescue in downtown Spokane, a broken sprinkler, a child locked inside a bathroom, a fan with an overheated motor caused by doll hair tangling in the blades and 25 car accidents. The department also assisted with the large hazardous materials call at Pacific Steel in Spokane on Aug. 12.