Valley Fire roundup: Crews respond to 3 significant structure fires
It was a busy week for the Spokane Valley Fire Department May 25-31, with crews responding to three significant building fires in just that week.
The first was reported on May 25 near the intersection of Starr Road and Joseph Avenue at 8:41 a.m. A passerby reported that a detached barn was on fire. Crews found the barn fully aflame and it was so far from the road – and the nearest hydrant – that they had to use extra hoses in addition to the water in the trucks, said department spokeswoman Julie Happy.
The 50-foot by 40-foot barn was put out with assistance from the Kootenai County Fire District. Several chickens died in the fire.
The next significant fire was reported at a fourplex 12:41 p.m. on May 28 on North Boeing Road. There was a lot of smoke, but no flames. It appeared that the fire had been smoldering in an exterior wall, Happy said. The cause of the fire was traced to improperly discarded cigarettes.
Someone reported seeing black smoke coming from a garage in the 12000 block of East Valleyway Avenue at 3:09 p.m. on May 29. The detached garage was on fire when crews arrived. All the people inside the home, as well as a cat and two dogs, were able to get outside safety.
The detached garaged, which had a basement, was being used as a living space and crews found an extension cord running from the home to the garage. The cause of the fire was later determined to be a do-it-yourself drop light that had been left on and failed.
Other calls
from May 25-31
May 25: A 10-foot by 5-foot grass fire was reported on the ramp of westbound Interstate 90 at exit 296. The cause is unknown. Crews put the smoldering fire out.
May 26: A man walked into Station 4 in Otis Orchards at 5:44 p.m. carrying detonation cord and blasting caps that he said he found while cleaning out his father’s house. The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office bomb squad was called and sent personnel to take possession of the items.
May 27: A report of a semi-trailer on fire on eastbound Interstate 90 just east of exit 206 was received at 7:35 p.m. Crews found smoke coming from the left set of dual tires on the rear axle of the trailer and both tires were flat. The driver said he saw smoke and pulled over and used his fire extinguisher to put out some flames. Firefighters wet down the wheel and hub assembly to cool it.
May 30: Residents in a home in the area of Shannon Avenue and Holl Boulevard called just after 2 p.m. to report that lightning had hit the home and they thought they smelled smoke. Firefighters found a 6-inch piece of wood trim that had been knocked off, but no other damage. Crews went inside the attic and did not find any smoke and used an aerial ladder to chick the roof for damage. They homeowner was advised to call an electrician to deal with two breakers that had tripped and would not reset.
By the numbers: Crews responded to 349 calls the week of May 25-31, including 273 calls for emergency medical services. Other responses included 15 car crashes, a report of a downed power line and a woman who called to report that her son had plugged the bathroom sink and left the water running while she slept.