Justin de Ruyter, Spokane Fire PIO, jderuyter@spokanecity.org
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 10:59 a.m.
Update 4/10/25:
Following a comprehensive investigation of the property and interviews with witnesses, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has determined the cause of the fire to be “undetermined.” Investigators were able to confirm that the fire originated in the front room. However, due to extensive fire damage, the large number of contents within the room, and the inability to interview the victim, there was insufficient information to identify a cause conclusively.
Based on physical evidence and witness statements, investigators confirmed that while smoke alarms were present in the home, none were operational during the fire. Additionally, it was confirmed that a previous fire at the same residence on May 12, 2023, was caused by an unattended candle in the living room.
The Spokane Fire Department urges residents to use this tragic incident as a reminder of the critical importance of working smoke alarms. Smoke alarms should be tested twice a year, ideally during daylight saving time changes. Residents should also check the manufacturer's date on their alarms, as most must be replaced every ten years. For more detailed guidance, always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Original Release 4/9/25:
At 12:42 a.m., firefighters responded to multiple calls reporting flames from a residence at 608 West 27th Avenue. As units responded, dispatchers relayed information indicating that an adult female and two dogs resided in the home and had not been seen outside.
Engine 9, stationed in the Cannon Hill neighborhood, arrived within four minutes and found heavy fire visible from multiple windows on the first floor of the one-and-a-half-story house. The flames immediately threatened an adjacent residence located directly to the west.
Additional firefighting crews quickly arrived, secured a water supply, and conducted an aggressive interior search. Crews deployed several fire attack lines and created multiple ventilation openings in the roof to combat the rapidly spreading fire. Interior firefighters encountered severe hoarding conditions, intense heat, heavy flames, and dense smoke throughout the structure.
Within ten minutes of their arrival, firefighters located and removed the adult female and two dogs, all of whom were pronounced deceased at the scene. Due to the extensive fire and heavy fuel load within the home, it took nearly an hour to control the main body of the fire.
Investigators from the Special Investigations Unit and the Spokane Police Department are working to identify the cause of the fire, and the investigation is expected to continue today. Although a formal damage estimate is not yet available, the home and its contents sustained significant damage. SCRAPS was called to retrieve the deceased animals from the scene.
