SPOKANE, Wash. – The City of Spokane Fire Department is warning against smoking indoors after improperly disposed of materials started an apartment fire Thursday morning.
Just before 5:00 am, firefighters were called out to the Spruce Apartments on West 11th Ave.
Neighbors reported seeing smoke from an apartment and when a resident above the unit tried to enter the apartment, they were deterred by thick smoke, according to the City of Spokane Fire Department.
A fire engine was on scene within minutes of the call and crews deployed hoses to the seat of the fire.
Crews from two other units searched for potential victims and temporarily evacuated other units.
The fire department reports the fire was quickly extinguished and that it was kept to the mattress and adjacent carpet. No damage was reported to neighboring units.
An investigation determined the fire was caused by improperly disposed smoking materials. Damage and loss reportedly estimates stand at $75,000, while the preserved property value exceeds $800,000.
“Spokane Fire urges residents who smoke tobacco or recreational drugs to do so outdoors and properly dispose of materials in suitable containers- made of non-combustible materials with lids on them when not in use. Although smoking-related fires constitute approximately 5% of residential building fires, they account for 14% of fire-related fatalities in residential structures,” the City of Spokane Fire Department shared.
