SPOKANE, Wash. — The Spokane Fire Department responded to a fire at the U.S. Bank on East 29th Avenue and Mt. Vernon on the South Hill Monday.
Bystanders took pictures as the blaze burned the bank near the KFC/AW Root Beer.
According to the SFD, when crews arrived on scene just before noon, Spokane Fire says they located the fire attic. It's not clear at this time if employees were in the building but, possibly construction workers.
SFD's Public Information Officer Justin de Ruyter says typically with a structure fire, crews will get above the building to cut a big vent in the roof. This gives the smoke and gases somewhere to go.
"Fortunately, they were it was kind of just hit them on the on the backs," said de Ruyter. "One guy got knocked down it sounds like. And they were able to pull him out. They're all walking around. They seem to be fine at this point. But that was a little too close for us to be comfortable with."
It took a few hours for crews to put the fire out. During that time, the overhang on the building collapsed one side at a time.
Fire officials say they are conducting a defensive operation towards the fire, and the building is "a complete loss."
At this point, investigators are still determining what caused this fire. Fire officials are reporting that no one was severely hurt.
U.S. Bank issued the following statement regarding the fire:
We are pleased to report that all U.S. Bank team members and customers are safe and accounted for following the fire at our Lincoln Heights branch and would like to thank first responders for their efforts. While it is too soon to comment on the near and long-term impact to operations at this location, customers will continue to have full-service access through our other branch locations in Spokane, including the Manito branch which is less than two miles away at 621 E. 30th Ave.
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