UPDATE: Dec. 23 at 2:02 p.m.
A man was arrested for arson for the fire that broke out at the Cedar West Apartments on Monday.
According to court documents, the man was a resident in the apartment building. Police found him sitting on the sidewalk nearby when he told them that he did not live in the apartment complex, and gestured north and then west to indicate where he supposedly lived.
The man later said that he lied because he didn’t want to be found responsible for the fire, according to SPD in court documents.
The Spokane Fire Department determined that a pot of oil left on the stove inside the man’s apartment was the cause of the fire, and that the man left the building for more than 30 minutes.
SPOKANE, Wash. – A fire broke out at the Cedar West apartment complex at the intersection of West Rowan Avenue and North Driscoll Boulevard, prompting an evacuation of residents. According to Justin de Ruyter, PIO with the Spokane Fire Department, the call came in around 2:47 p.m., and crews arrived within three minutes.
The fire was confined to one unit, and no injuries have been reported. Firefighters have successfully knocked down the fire, but crews are still investigating the cause.
Residents and the public are advised to avoid the area while crews continue their response.
