Justin de Ruyter, Spokane Fire PIO, jderuyter@spokanecity.org
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 4:49 p.m.
December 9, 2025- At 11:25 a.m. today, firefighters, assisted by Spokane County Fire District 9, were dispatched to 1811 East Holyoke Avenue after multiple callers reported heavy black smoke billowing from a commercial building. Engine 15 from the Hillyard neighborhood arrived four minutes later and found a 50' x 200' metal-clad structure with heavy fire showing from the open garage door of one of multiple businesses housed inside. Crews immediately deployed a 2½-inch attack line to the opening, supported by additional hose lines from responding engine companies, while firefighters from ladder companies forced entry through the front and rear doors of the four affected businesses.
The fire extended into a common attic space shared by three neighboring businesses, in addition to the one where it originated, causing significant smoke and water damage to all three exposed occupancies and heavy fire damage to the originating business. The building housed eight businesses in total; four sustained substantial impacts and will be displaced indefinitely, while the remaining four experienced light smoke damage and will remain operational.
Firefighters brought the fire under control within 50 minutes and will continue overhaul operations and monitor for hotspots through the evening. No injuries were reported. Fire investigators determined the fire to be accidental, caused by welding sparks that ignited a vehicle inside the origin business, which was being used for auto repair.
