Firefighters Feel The Heat In Northeast Blaze Weather Aggravates Tough Conditions For 16 Trucks, Leading To Several Injuries

Dozens of firefighters battled the summer heat and stubborn flames Tuesday as fire destroyed a building in northeast Spokane.

Nearly 50 firefighters and 16 trucks from city and county companies responded to a vacant garage that was being remodeled as a home at 6318 N. Market.

The second floor was in flames when they arrived about 2 p.m.

Several firefighters suffered heat-related injuries, and one was treated for heat exhaustion.

Teams of firefighters took turns fighting the blaze in 30-minute intervals. It took more than three hours to get the fire under control.

“Firefighters get overheated and dehydrated fast out there,” said Jim Palmer, emergency medical services coordinator for Spokane County Fire District 9. “Fighting fires in this heat takes tremendous, tremendous physical exertion. After 15 or 20 minutes a firefighter doesn’t have any energy left.”

Paramedics stood by, checking on firefighters and offering a reprieve from the heat in air-conditioned ambulances. Volunteers handed out cold water and sandwiches donated by the Sportsman Cafe.

District 6 fireman Don Harris was treated for heat exhaustion.

The building was owned by John Dillon, who had rented it out as a business for more than 25 years.

Several classic cars, a motorcycle and his plans to renovate the building were lost in the fire, Dillon said.

He had planned to move into the building Sept. 1.

Dillon said he had trudged through the house, moving a hot water heater, an hour before the fire began.

Three hours later, he remained puzzled about what could have sparked the fire, which began on the second floor.

“There was nothing up there,” he said.

While he watched, fire trucks lined up, blocking traffic along Market Street north of Francis Avenue for more than four hours.

Initial problems with water pressure complicated the effort.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation late Tuesday.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo