Justin de Ruyter, Spokane Fire PIO, jderuyter@spokanecity.org
Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 3 p.m.
January 15, 2026- At 10:22 p.m. last night, firefighters were dispatched to the 1400 block of East Courtland Avenue for a report of a vehicle that had crashed into a home. Additional information indicated the driver was out of the vehicle, which was on fire and extending into the residence, with reports that one person might still be inside.
Firefighters from Truck 2 and Engine 2 in the Bemiss neighborhood, along with Engine 15 from the Hillyard neighborhood, arrived within four minutes and confirmed flames on the home's exterior. Firefighters from Truck 2 conducted a rapid search of the residence and confirmed there were no occupants inside. Crews also checked neighboring homes and located the woman who was initially reported to be inside the affected home safe at a neighbor’s residence.
During fire suppression operations, firefighters discovered the vehicle had damaged the home’s natural gas meter. Fortunately, the system was equipped with an Excess Flow Valve that automatically shut off the gas supply, helping prevent further escalation.
Firefighters, along with paramedics from American Medical Response Spokane, evaluated both the vehicle’s driver and the homeowner and determined neither required hospital transport. The driver was subsequently taken into custody by the Spokane Police Department.
Members of the Regional Technical Rescue Team assessed the structure and found no risk of structural collapse. Due to prompt notification and rapid response, fire damage was limited. Avista responded to repair the damaged gas line and valve.
