Justin de Ruyter, Spokane Fire PIO, jderuyter@spokanecity.org
Friday, February 27, 2026 at 10:02 a.m.
February 26, 2026 – At 12:36 p.m. today, firefighters responded to a house fire in the 1300 block of West Jackson Avenue, where flames were visible on the main floor. Engine 3 from the West Central neighborhood arrived within three minutes and reported heavy smoke from the eaves of a 1½-story residence. Crews immediately began an interior fire attack.
Additional crews conducted searches, established a water supply, and performed vertical ventilation. Firefighters cut roof openings to access and extinguish the fire that had spread into the knee walls. The fire was brought under control within 20 minutes.
During the search, firefighters located and removed two cats from the home. One cat, found with serious injuries, was revived by firefighters with oxygen at the scene. Both cats were transported to a local emergency veterinary clinic. The occupants were not home, and no human injuries were reported. Investigators determined the fire was accidental, caused by an unattended stove that was inadvertently turned on.
While crews were still operating at the West Jackson Avenue fire, a second structure fire was dispatched at 1:54 p.m. in the 1100 block of West Nora Avenue. Battalion Chief 1 and Engine 2 arrived within two minutes and reported moderate smoke coming from a detached garage. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, limiting damage to the garage.
Investigators determined the fire was accidental, caused by a heat lamp inside a chicken coop. Unfortunately, multiple chickens were found deceased because of the fire.
