One dead in Spokane Valley condo fire

One person is dead and several residents were displaced as a result of a fire Sunday night at the Central Park Condominiums in Spokane Valley.

The fire started about 8:30 p.m. at 6019 E. 6th Ave. in building K. When Spokane Valley firefighters arrived, crews observed smoke and flames coming from the roof of a three-story condo.

Amy Turpin, a board member of the Central Park Homeowners Association, said she rushed to the scene after receiving a text that the building was on fire.

“The whole thing was up in flames,” she said. “The fire was so high up in the sky, it was incredible.”

Firefighters took a defensive approach to the fire, which was upgraded to bring more resources to the scene. More than 22 firetrucks, command and support vehicles responded from the Spokane Fire Department and Spokane County Fire District 8.

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office assisted with traffic control and evacuated residents from the building.

Turpin said once American Red Cross staff arrived, they obtained lists of residents living in the building to ensure they were accounted for, then relocated them to a clubhouse.

“The Red Cross was amazing,” Turpin said. “I was impressed with the way they communicated with us and the firefighters.”

Firefighters contained the fire to the western section of the building, preventing it from spreading to the surrounding 48 condo units.

Damage was reported to more than 12 condo units, with nine heavily damaged or destroyed, according to the fire department.

The American Red Cross assisted with finding housing for displaced residents.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, which likely will take several days to conclude because the building first needs to be stabilized for safety, according to the Spokane Valley Fire Department.