VIDEO: Spokane’s Fire Department says a house fire that killed an 11-year-old boy and three family pets started after the boy ignited “combustible materials.” The deadly fire broke out on West Rowan Avenue just east of the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex. SFD reports the first calls for help came around 12:15 am and firefighters were able to respond within minutes.
The Spokane Fire Department said the fire appeared to have started and stayed in the basement. Department public information officer Justin de Ruyter says the boy was sharing a bedroom with his grandma in the basement. She awoke to a small fire in the corner of the room, an SFD press release said. She tried to put out the flames by smothering them with clothing.
The grandmother searched for the boy but was unable to find him as heat and heavy smoke took over; she escaped to the first floor of the home and was helped out by firefighters, de Ruyter says. Four other family members were inside the home at the time of the fire, but they slept upstairs and self-evacuated.
