SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — Spokane Valley Fire Department Investigators have determined that the cause of yesterday’s fatal house fire was due to an improper disposal of cigarettes.
Investigators spent all day today and yesterday evaluating the scene of this fatal fire of East Dalton Avenue.
The tragic house fire that occurred on Millwood started early Monday morning. As fire personnel arrived, they found seven-year-old boy, nine-year-old boy and two dogs in the home.
Crews began life-saving measures for the children, including 45 minutes of CPR, but neither child could be resuscitated. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
One victim from the home and a firefighter were injured and transported to the hospital. The firefighter was released from the hospital yesterday evening.
“The most important aspect of a fire that SVFD wants our community to know is to always get everyone out of the house right away and then call 911,” said SVFD Fire Marshal Brett Anderson. “Do not go back into the home and do not take anything with you. Evacuate the home immediately leaving everything behind.”
The two boys who died in this fatal fire were students at Linwood Elementary. On the day of the fire, the principal sent an email out to families and faculty stating, “we were saddened to learn that two Linwood students passed away in a tragic accident. Their teachers and classmates have been notified and are receiving support from the Spokane Public Schools crisis response team, which includes counselors.”
Throughout the day today, SPS offered counseling for any students and faculty members that needed extra support on campus today.
If you need help with a fire escape plan, call the Spokane Valley Fire Department to help.
