Discarded cigarette may have started blaze
The Spokane Valley Fire Department responded to several fires in the two weeks from April 27 to May 10, including at least one thought to be caused by an improperly discarded cigarette.
Flames burned the front of a home in the 3300 block of North Girard Road on April 28 and extended into the attic. The fire was reported at 2:30 a.m. The fire began on the front porch and a discarded cigarette is believed to be the cause, said department spokeswoman Melanie Rose.
A similar fire that started outside a home and spread into the attic was reported in the 11900 block of East 30th Avenue the evening of May 2. The cause of that fire is still under investigation. The Red Cross was called to assist the two adults, five children and two dogs living in the home.
Someone vandalized the restrooms at Plantes Ferry Park either late May 9 or early May 10. A man discovered the damage shortly after 1 p.m. on May 10, said Rose, including flooding in the men’s bathroom.
“They burned up some toilet paper in the men’s bathroom and in the women’s bathroom,” she said.
Other calls from April 27 to May 10:
April 30: A large shop caught fire in the 16900 block of East 27th Lane. Rags used to apply wood stain were left in a garbage can and spontaneously combusted. The fire was further fueled by sawdust that had been dumped in the garbage can on top of the rags. Damage is estimated at $30,000.
May 3: A woman reported being locked outside her apartment in the 11900 block of East Mansfield at 1 a.m. with her 10-month-old child alone inside.
May 5: The department’s water rescue crew responded to downtown Spokane to assist Spokane Fire Department with a man threatening to jump off the Monroe Street Bridge.
May 7: Firefighters and the water rescue team responded to a plane crash in the Spokane River near Felts Field. The two men in the plane died of their injuries.
May 9: A pan left on the top of a stove caught fire in the 11600 block of East 11th Avenue, but it was quickly extinguished. A pot of food left unattended caught fire in the 10000 block of East Main Avenue.
By the numbers: Crews responded to 679 calls for service from April 27 to May 10, including 561 calls for emergency medical services. Other calls included 41 car accidents, 22 illegal outdoor fires and eight brush fires.