SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — An elderly Spokane Valley couple were evaluated for smoke inhalation Tuesday night after their home caught fire.
The Spokane Valley Fire Department responded to the home on East 8th Avenue near South Pines Road around 7:15 p.m. According to a press release from SVFD Captain Don Kresse, 911 callers reported an extremely large fire, with flames coming from the back of the house and numerous trees on fire.
When firefighters arrived, Kresse said the home's attached garage was on fire and it had extended into the living area with several trees also on fire.
According to Spokane Valley Fire Department Battalion Chief Brian Treffry, the residents were tapped in the home and couldn't see the exit because the smoke was so dark and thick.
PHOTOS: Spokane Valley elderly couple escape house fire
A neighbor helped get the elderly couple out of the home after hearing a man's cries for help, according to Kresse. A Spokane County deputy moved the couple across the street for their safety and were looked at by an ambulance crew from American Medical Response when they arrived on scene. They were taken to Sacred Heart Medical Center to be evaluated for smoke inhalation.
A total of 27 firefighters responded to the scene. According to a press release, crews had to cut two large holes in the roof to let the fire, smoke and heat escape from the attic and living areas to aid additional crews inside the house during their search of the home to make sure the house was no longer occupied.
The fire was contained to the home and did not spread to any nearby homes or cars, the press release says.