Brush fire behind home believed to be caused by firework
A firework is believed to have started a brush fire that destroyed a doghouse behind a Spokane Valley home.
The Spokane Valley Fire Department was called to the 22500 block of East Wellesley Avenue about 10 p.m. on July 12 for a reported brush fire. The homeowner said he spotted two people running away from the fire, department spokeswoman Melanie Rose said.
The fire burned a doghouse and spread to a nearby brush pile before it was put out. The next day the homeowner reported finding a discharged firework in the area where the fire was, Rose said.
Other calls July 11-17
July 11: A caller reported a child locked inside a car in the Spokane Valley Mall parking lot about 5 p.m. The firetruck was delayed by a train and someone broke the car’s window and removed the child before crews arrived. The child was checked by medics and given a clean bill of health.
July 12: A contractor hit a natural gas line while digging up a stump in the 24800 block of East Trent Avenue.
July 13: Crews were called to cleanup a gasoline spill in the 12700 block of East Shannon Avenue. The homeowner said he interrupted people attempting to siphon gas from a car.
July 14: An electrical panel fire was reported in the 11100 block of East 21st Avenue. An illegal burn barrel was discovered in the 11400 block of East 34th Avenue.
July 16: An oven fire was reported in an apartment at 15719 E. Fourth Ave. The resident was able to get the fire out before crews arrived. Crews responded to a slow-moving grass fire next to the freeway near the Pines Road exit about 3 a.m. A caller reported an overturned raft in the Spokane River near Barker Road with people in the water shortly before noon. A man and two children were playing in the river while wearing life vests and did not need rescuing.
July 17: A detached garage caught fire in the 400 block of South Tschirley Road. The back of the garage was heavily damaged. The cause is under investigation.
By the numbers: Crews responded to 311 calls July 11-17, including 242 calls for emergency medical services. Other responses included 31 car crashes, a battery emitting a foul odor in the Spokane Valley Police Precinct and a firefighter who crawled through a window to remove a motorized wheelchair blocking the front door of an apartment.