AC Brian Schaeffer #509-625-7002
Monday, December 12, 2016 at 1:53 p.m.
Around 3:30 a.m., fire crews from the Spokane Fire Department responded to back-to-back structure fires. No injuries were reported to civilians or firefighters at either fire. A family dog was lost in one of the fires.
The first structure fire was reported in the 1600 block of E. Ostrander Ave. at 3:20 a.m. The occupant reported all occupants of the home had safely evacuated and smoke was coming from the basement. Firefighters were able to confine the fire to basement and a small portion of the first floor kitchen area. Crews credit operating smoke detectors for providing an early warning signal allowing the residents in the home to safely escape. The American Red Cross responded to assist the family (2 adults and 3 children). The cause of the fire was determined to be related to electrical hazards.
The second structure fire was reported in the 500 block of E. Crown Ave. at 3:31 a.m. An observant neighbor advised of a fire at a single-family home, but was not aware if the home was occupied. When the first company arrived, heavy smoke was visible from street side and the incident was declared as a working fire. Firefighters searched the structure and removed a family pet dog that had succumbed to the fire. The incident was under control within 30-minutes and investigators are still on-scene investigating the cause of the fire.
