Former Spokane Valley Fire captain dies from firefighting-related cancer

The Spokane Valley Fire Department announced Friday that its former captain, Tim Cruger, died Monday from cancer caused by exposure to toxic smoke on the job.

Cruger’s death is deemed a line of duty death by the Washington state occupational disease laws, according to a Facebook post from the fire department.

A memorial service is planned for the beginning of February, and the department will release more information in the coming days.

Spokane Valley Fire hired Cruger in 1986 as a firefighter. During his 29-year career he served as an engineer, lieutenant and captain. He retired in 2015.

Cruger was diagnosed with kidney cancer soon after he retired. The cancer metastasized to his colon, lungs and brain, according to the post.

His father, Melvin Cruger, a former captain of the Spokane Fire Department, died on Dec. 6.