Arson suspected in series of fires

Arson is suspected in five fires reported early Sunday in the Spokane Valley, one of which damaged Opportunity Baptist Church, 13620 E. Broadway.

“It’s logical to assume the fires were related,” said Spokane Valley Fire Marshal Paul Chase, citing the time frame and the fact that all were started outside the buildings.

The church fire was reported at 3:06 a.m., said Chase.

The blaze damaged the entryway and caused smoke damage throughout the church, Chase said. Sunday evening choir practice and services were held at the church’s adjacent Christian Youth Center. The youth center will be used for services until the church is repaired.

Bill Ould, a church adviser, said the church is insured. They had no estimate Sunday night of the amount of damages.

“It’s a small church of about 50 members, but we all pull together,” said Ould. “We just thank the Lord that it wasn’t worse and are thankful that no one was hurt and that none of the firemen were hurt. That’s a blessing. Whoever did this needs help, obviously.”

About two hours later, a blaze was reported at 13315 E. Cataldo. That fire started on the back porch, Chase said, and burned its way into the home. An elderly woman living in the home was awakened by a smoke detector, which had been installed by her son. “That saved her life,” Chase said.

Other fires reported early Sunday were a blaze on the back porch of a home at 11013 E. Mission, a fire in a yard next to a house at 9408 E. Mission, and a fire at 13507 E. Mission, Apt. 7, which was out when firefighters arrived. All of those fires caused only minor damage, Chase said.

“It was extremely busy,” said Chase. “We actually called in a couple of reserve trucks” as well as getting assistance from the city of Spokane and Fire District 8.

Chase recommends that residents keep their porch lights on and ensure that they have working smoke detectors.

Anyone with information on the fires, or who saw suspicious activity in the Broadway and Mission area, is asked to call Valley Fire at 928-1700, or the Arson Hotline, (800)-55-ARSON.