Separate fires damage several structures

Vacant building, garages and home all damaged

Brian Schaeffer, Assistant Fire Chief, 509.625.7002

Thursday, March 31, 2016 at 8:31 a.m.

The Spokane Fire Department is investigating the causes of fires that damaged three separate garages in northeast Spokane and a vacant commercial building on the South Hill during a day in which multiple fires kept crews busy all over the city. One firefighter suffered a minor injury during a third fire that damaged a home on the north side.

Investigators believe the garage fires in the 1900 block of East Bridgeport Avenue may have been intentionally set. Firefighters responded just after 6 am and were able to contain the damage to the garages and some nearby material. Off-duty personnel had to be called in to assist as a three-alarm fire in a vacant two-story commercial building, formerly known as Studio K at 2810 E. 29th Ave., had firefighters tied up for several hours.

That fire, which was reported at 2:35 am, took city crews six hours to extinguish and required assistance from the Spokane Valley Fire Department and Spokane County Fire District 8. Fire loss is still being determined and the cause is under investigation.

Later in the day, firefighters were called to a home at 517 E. Hoffman Ave. Heavy smoke was coming from the basement when crews arrived. Firefighters put out the fire within 30 minutes and determined the cause to be an overloaded circuit. One firefighter was treated and released for a moderate injury suffered while fighting the fire. Residents were able to return to the home later in the afternoon.