Tour Commander, 509.625.7100
Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at 12:16 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 26, 11:30 AM, the Spokane Fire Department (SFD) and a District 1 Engine Company, through automatic aid, were dispatched to the 2400 block of East 5th Avenue for a residence on fire. SREC 911 had received several reports of smoke emanating from the home before the SFD's arrival, and firefighters could see a column of smoke from several blocks away.
Firefighters arrived in four minutes to find heavy smoke conditions pouring out of the structure. They found a woman outside who had sustained critical burns and smoke inhalation. SFD Paramedics and AMR began treatment and quickly transported the patient to the trauma center.
Firefighters rapidly searched the home for victims and extinguished the blaze without the fire extending beyond the kitchen and bedroom. Fire crews located two unconscious dogs inside the home and attempted life-saving measures. The efforts were unsuccessful, and the two dogs were declared deceased on the scene. The house sustained significant damage throughout the first floor.
The nature of the fire is incendiary, and the cause was a purposefully set fire by the victim. Formal criminal charges are expected in this case.
