SPOKANE, Wash. — Investigators with the Spokane Fire Department (SFD) are urging the public to stay vigilant following a string of incendiary fires in the region.
According to investigators, the first fire occurred on February 12 at 7:16 p.m. when callers notified 911 of a fire coming from a parked van. Once firefighters extinguished the blaze, they noticed a hole drilled into the van's gas tank. The van was a total loss of $50,000.
The next arson occurred on February 26 at 11:40 a.m. outside the building housing the Old Spaghetti Factory downtown. Security footage captured an unidentified man setting fire to debris from a homeless camp next to the restaurant. That fire reportedly burned for several hours before spreading to the building's HVAC system. While the restaurant was saved, it did endure approximately $10,000 in damages.
Investigators added that another fire broke out that same night, this time in the 200 block of West Indiana Avenue. Callers reported flames burning outside the exterior of a commercial building. Firefighters arrived to find the blaze at the loading dock threatening to spread indoors. That fire appeared to have come from an illegal camp on the property. While the fire was put out before spreading indoors, that building still suffered $50,000 in damages.
Investigators are urging the public to make sure their properties are clear of debris and to have security cameras monitoring all angles of their homes or businesses. Anyone who witnesses an arson in their area should call (509) 625-7120.
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