Arson investigation underway after second commercial fire

Brian Schaeffer, Fire Chief, 509.625.7002

Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 11:19 a.m.

This morning at 5:47 a.m. the Spokane Fire Department was dispatched to Beacon Cleaners and Laundry, located at 3112 S. Grand Blvd., on a report of a commercial building fire.

Fire crews arrived within minutes and advised fire was burning to the rear of the building and was rapidly encroaching towards the business. Firefighters were able to quickly contain the fire and prevent it from entering the interior structure causing further damage.

The business was in the process of recovering from a prior fire on August 11 where an arsonist had attempted to destroy the building in a similar fashion. During the August 11 incident, two U.S. Postal Service vehicles were also damaged.

“This is a serious crime that places the public and our firefighters at risk and we will expend all resources available to investigate and charge the person(s) responsible and hold them accountable,” says Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer. “We urge anyone with any information to contact the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit at 509-625-7000.”