Spokane Valley apartment blaze under investigation

A fire that heavily damaged a third floor apartment at the Whimsical Pig on Saturday is still under investigation.

Spokane Valley Fire Department crews were called at 4:24 p.m. and found flames coming out of the apartment when they arrived. A second alarm was sounded and engines from Spokane County Fire District 8 also responded to help.

A teen in the apartment was alerted to the fire by a smoke detector and was able to get his dog and evacuate. A firefighter did sustain a minor hand injury, according to a press release from Battalion Chief Rich Llewellyn.

The fire was contained to a single apartment and neighboring residents were able to return to their homes. The Red Cross is assisting the residents of the burned apartment.

Other calls from May 11-17.

May 11: A bathroom fire was reported in a warehouse at 10019 E. Knox Ave. Employees were able to put it out with a fire extinguisher.

A woman in the 2800 block of North Cherry reported a propane-type smell on her back porch. The smell had gone away by the time firefighters arrived to investigate.

May 12: A house fire was reported in the 2700 block of North Bessie Road at 1:30 p.m. The fire is believed to have started on the back porch. Everyone inside the home was able to make it out safely.

Firefighters had to cut a tow hitch from a vehicle in order to untangle it from a second vehicle after a two car crash around 4:40 p.m. on Sullivan Road just south of Broadway. Neither driver was injured.

Saturday: A small brush fire was reported in the 6500 block of South Saddle Ridge Lane.

By the numbers: Firefighters responded to 262 calls from May 11-17, including 213 emergency medical services calls. The calls included several illegal outside fires, three brush fires and 20 vehicle accidents.