Fire guts former used car dealership on East Sprague

A former used car dealership was heavily damaged by fire early Wednesday morning in Spokane Valley.

Spokane Valley firefighters were called to the former Best Bet Auto, 4605 E. Sprague Ave., just before 4:30 a.m. Crews from Valley Engine 6 were first to arrive and immediately noticed heavy smoke and fire billowing from the structure.

Shawn Pichette, spokesman for the Spokane Valley Fire Department, said the flames were too intense for firefighters to enter the structure, so they instead set up hoses and dumped water on the fire from the outside. Pichette said the building was most likely empty, but it was a popular spot for homeless people to break in and sleep for the night.

Sprague Avenue was closed for about two hours in both directions. Eastbound lanes were opened at around 7 a.m. Westbound lanes remained closed Wednesday morning while firefighters continued to mop up.

Pichette said the call originally came in from a Costco security guard who was gathering carts along Sprague Avenue.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.