SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — The Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) responded to a house fire on Mission Avenue around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 10.
Three people and a dog were safely evacuated from two affected duplex units before SVFD arrived on the scene.
Fire crews say the fire started on the back deck and extended into the attic after burning up the outside wall and into the top unit.
They say the fire grew rapidly while crews were on the scene and ladder crews created ventilation holes in the ceiling while ground crews worked to douse the flames.
The fire was contained to the attic but SVFD says water and smoke damage resulted in one of the units becoming unfit to house the people who live there.
The second unit is being evaluated to determine if the residents will be able to return home.
SVFD says Red Cross was contacted to aid the residents in finding temporary housing.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. This is a developing story.