Two firefighters injured in Spokane shopping center fire

VIDEO: Two firefighters were injured as the Spokane Fire Department responded to a fire at the U.S Bank in the Lincoln Heights Shopping Center on the South Hill. "One was knocked down by the roof and the other two were able to pull him out to safety. They are all walking around and doing okay," said Justin de Ruyter with the Spokane Fire Department. According to SFD, employees of the U.S. Bank building said they could smell smoke and believed the fire was in the attic. Responding crews reported black smoke and flames from the building and quickly called a second alarm, making more resources available. "First alarm is about 30 firefighters on scene. Once we deplete that then we go to a second alarm. We reserve that for advanced first," said, de Ruyter. At one point, firefighters called "mayday" when the roof of the building collapsed.
KXLY-TV ABC 4 Spokane

Follow Up: Lineage warehouse fire in Benton County still smoldering, investigation into cause underway

The Lineage Logistics warehouse fire continues to smolder after burning on April 21. The fire and subsequent smoky conditions prompted air quality concerns over the past week and Benton County Fire District #1 has provided some updates on the state of the fire and current air quality conditions. While the fire is still smoldering, it will eventually burn itself out and air quality will improve, according to BCFD1. Fire crews remain on scene throughout the day and overnight and water is being applied from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Firefighters can't safely get to the parts of the fire that are still smoldering, according to BCFD1 and aerial water resources cannot be used due to contractual limitations on their deployment. Representatives from the Washington State Department of Ecology remain on scene daily to monitor air quality for any adverse effects.
NBC Right Now

Federal disaster declared for 16 Washington counties following winter weather

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued a disaster declaration for 16 counties in Washington state, following weeks of extreme winter weather in January. The disaster declaration makes federal aid available for local governments and nonprofit agencies, not individuals. It covers Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Ferry, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Skagit, Skamania and Wahkiakum counties. The declaration also covers the Colville Indian Reservation. It is the fourth major disaster declaration the Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued for Washington state since January 2022.
KUOW-FM 94.9 Seattle

Two dead after house fire in Chattaroy

Two people died after an early morning house fire in Chattaroy. According to Spokane County Fire District 4 (SCFD4), the fire was reported at 2:57 a.m. on Saturday. Crews said the home was already engulfed in flames when they arrived. They confirmed one person died on the scene. A second was life-flighted to Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment. Crews later said they died in the hospital. SCFD4 said both victims of the fire were elderly people. No other structures were threatened at this fire. SCFD4 said they do not know what caused the fire as of Sunday afternoon. The Spokane County Medical Examiner will release the names of the victims at a later time.
KREM-TV CBS 2 Spokane

Spokane County Fire District 9 levy projected to fail for first time in 30 years

VIDEO: The Spokane County Fire District 9 voted to put the special levy back on the August ballot after it was projected to fail for the first time in more than 28 years. Fire Chief Jim Walkowski told NonStop Local that a big factor in the levy's failure was a misunderstanding of what the levy tax does and how the increase would affect voters. Two levies fund Fire District Nine. One is the fire levy, which costs voters 65 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. The other is the special levy, which was voted on this week. This year, homeowners pay $1.29 per $1,000 of property value. The levy would increase that number to $1.47 starting in 2025. That number will increase to $1.48 in 2026 and $1.49 in 2027. The board of fire commissioners voted Friday to put this measure back on the Aug. 6 ballot.
NonStop Local

Firefighters put out house fire near Deer Park, no injuries reported

Spokane County Fire District 4 (SCFD 4) put out a house fire north of Deer Park. The residents were able to evacuate, and there were no reported injuries. SCFD 4 firefighters responded to a structure fire on Tuesday night, April 23, the people in the house were able to evacuate after hearing their smoke alarm. Neighbors and firefighters contained the fire in the living room, and SCFD 4 reported no injuries. SCFD 4 said in their Facebook post. “This is a great reminder to ensure that we have smoke alarms in every sleeping area and on each floor of your home. Most important is to check them monthly to make sure that they are all working properly.”
KAYU-TV FOX 28 Spokane