House fire in Nevada Heights neighborhood blamed on improperly installed wood-burning stove

Spokane firefighters quickly extinguished a house fire early Thursday after a resident awoke to the smell of smoke and “popping noises” that emanated from the walls.

Firefighters were called at about 4:30 a.m. to the home in the 1100 block of East Broad Avenue, in the Nevada Heights neighborhood, according to a news release from the Spokane Fire Department.

They arrived within five minutes and found heavy smoke at the front of the home, according to the news release. After ensuring that the man was OK, they entered the structure and doused the flames within 20 minutes.

No injuries were reported. The fire department said the fire damaged a single wall that runs through the basement and first floor of the home. The damage will cost an estimated $15,000. The fire was deemed accidental and blamed on an improperly installed wood-burning stove. The house did not have smoke alarms.