Spokane Valley fire roundup: Three escape RV fire, dog doesn’t survive
A leaking propane hose and a lit cigarette caused a fiery reaction that caused the destruction of an RV and the death of a dog last week in Spokane Valley. Three people inside the RV at the time of the fire were able to escape through windows.
The fire was reported in the 4200 block of North Best just after 8 a.m. April 3. Firefighters reported seeing a large column of black smoke as they approached the area, said Spokane Valley Fire Department spokeswoman Julie Happy.
People were living in the RV, and an investigation showed a rubber propane hose failed, allowing propane to leak inside the RV. The leak went undetected until one of the occupants lit a cigarette, Happy said.
Two people escaped the burning RV through a rear fire-escape window. The third person escaped through a different window that was broken by someone outside the RV. One person received minor burns. The dog, a Great Dane, did not survive.
Crews reported the interior of the RV was very cluttered, Happy said.
Other calls March 30 to April 5
March 30: A possible illegal fire was reported in the backyard of a home in the 18000 block of East Second Avenue just after 4:30 p.m. Firefighters found the homeowner burning arborvitae clippings in a metal burn pit. The owner was notified that burning yard debris is illegal.
March 31: Hikers on private land near the intersection of Zephyr and Lakeside roads called to report a burning slash pile shortly before 4:30 p.m. The fire was authorized and permitted and has been ongoing. The hikers were notified they were on private land and should obtain permission from the landowner to hike there.
April 1: A vehicle fire was reported in the Walmart parking lot in Spokane Valley just before 8 p.m. The engine compartment was on fire, and the flames were threatening to spread to nearby vehicles. Crews were able to put out the fire before it spread.
April 2: An illegal fire was reported in the backyard of a home on the corner of Buckeye Avenue and Center Road about 6:45 p.m. The homeowner was burning yard waste, which was creating a lot of smoke. He was told to put out the fire. The department assisted Idaho State Police in a manhunt for a wanted suspect, William James, who is accused of firing multiple shots at police. Air 1 and Rescue 3 helicopters were requested to assist in the hunt, headquartered in a remote area with no medical support near New Meadows, Idaho. Medics from Valley Fire help staff Air 1 and Rescue 3.
April 3: An illegal fire was reported in the area of Pines Road and Nora Avenue just before 8 p.m. The caller reported seeing flames reaching 5 feet in the area. Crews found a homeless camp with a trash fire. They were told they could not burn garbage, and the fire was put out.
April 4: A small fire was reported in the area of Locust Road and Farr Lane shortly before 6 a.m. Firefighters discovered what appeared to be a small fire burning plastic on the asphalt. It was several feet away from a nearby business. The fire was put out. There was a report of a cyclist running into a car on Pines Road just north of the I-90 interchange. The cyclist wasn’t wearing a helmet and had a head injury. A caller reported a large slash pile burning in the 26000 block of East Nebraska Avenue around 2:43 p.m. Crews found a large pit in the ground filled with burning stumps and yard debris, with no one around. The owner of the landscaping company operating at that address was informed that burning yard debris is illegal.
April 5: A garage fire was reported in the area of Bowdish Road and Pierce Road just after 3 a.m. by a neighbor across the street. Crews found a resident spraying the fire with a garden hose who said he had been trying to put the fire out for half an hour. The cause of the fire was an improperly installed wood stove that ignited the wall on fire. A trash fire was reported in the Salvation Army parking lot at 11211 E. Sprague just after 8:15 p.m. Crews found a burning pile of trash and a man perched on top of a nearby dumpster. They recognized him from a previous fire incident and the police were called. The man said he was having a warming fire and was doing the business a favor by burning its unwanted garbage.
By the numbers: Spokane Valley Fire Department crews responded to 312 calls in the week of March 30 to April 5, including 258 responses for emergency medical services. Other calls included a mother who accidentally locked her two children in the car, eight motor vehicle crashes, two calls for beeping carbon dioxide alarms that had expired and a parked car leaking oil in the road.