Valley fire roundup: Homeowner sets fire to renter’s locked door
The Spokane Valley Fire Department was busy from June 11 to June 24 responding to several motor vehicle accidents, unauthorized burning calls and a report of a residence fire set by a homeowner.
On June 11, firefighters responded to a building fire call around 8:20 a.m. on the 100 block of South Bell Street. When crews arrived at a residence, they observed a scorched door inside the home. A tenant, who was renting the room from the homeowner, told firefighters she arrived home to find the door on fire.
Firefighters spoke to the homeowner, who said the tenant had not paid rent in a year, so he poured kerosene on the door and lit it on fire. The homeowner said he lit the fire because it was his house, he can do what he likes and the tenant can’t lock the door to the room.
Crews advised setting a fire in the home is considered arson. They advised the tenant to call 911 to speak with an investigator if she wants to pursue legal action. The tenant told fire crews she was trying to move out as soon as possible.
Firefighters on June 18 were called around 11:30 a.m. to the 15000 block of Belle Terre Avenue. The caller directed fire crews to a brush fire 25 feet in diameter that had been burning for quite some time. Fire crews extinguished the fire. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources conducted an investigation, and it is believed the fire could have originated from a small campfire in the area.
Other calls from June 11-24
June 17: Fire crews responded to a report at 1:40 p.m. on the 13300 block of East Mission Avenue of a 65-year-old man who drove his car through the back of his garage and out the other side. When crews arrived on the scene, they assisted the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office with preparing the patient for transport to the hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries. They helped take down the unstable portion of the garage.
June 19: Crews responded to a report of a fire at 6:30 p.m. on the 600 block of North Conklin Road. Crews arrived at the scene and found nothing burning, but they did find a large pile of sticks, shaped into a “birdhouse sanctuary.” Crews returned to service.
June 20: Firefighters responded to a collision at 2:10 p.m. on the 15500 block of East Trent Avenue near the westbound Interstate 90 ramp by Sullivan Road. An 18-year-old man was traveling on a motorcycle along Sullivan when an SUV attempted to turn left in front of him, which caused him to hit the SUV’s front corner and crash into the guard rail. Crews responded to the scene and treated the man for injuries. He was transported to the hospital for wrist and hip pain.
June 22: Crews responded to a call from an assisted living home at 9:30 p.m. on the 14800 block of East Fourth Avenue. A nurse reported that a woman’s electric wheelchair battery died, which left her stuck in the wheelchair right behind the door and prevented access to her room. Crews gained access to the room through a window and moved the electric wheelchair away from the door.
June 23: Fire crews responded to a call reporting a stranded kayaker in the Spokane River at 6:10 p.m. near the 2800 block of North Eden Place. The kayaker was spotted in the middle of the river standing up in waist high water, but couldn’t get to shore. Firefighters dispatched a water rescue team and created a “box area” upriver and downriver to rescue the man, while team members retrieved the kayak.
By the numbers: The Spokane Valley Fire Department responded June 11-24 to 666 calls that included 33 fire related calls, 31 alarm system response calls, 547 emergency medical service calls, one extrication call, one water rescue call, five hazardous material calls, 41 motor vehicle accidents and seven service calls.