Investigators say arsonist set six fires in the Valley on Sunday

Valley Fire investigators say the number of arson fires set early Sunday morning in Spokane Valley has risen to six. Fire officials quickly suspected arson because the fires started on the outside of the buildings involved and all were in close proximity.

The sixth fire was discovered at 12912 E. Desmet Ave. on Sunday afternoon. It apparently burned itself out without anyone noticing the damage until several hours after the other fires were discovered, said fire investigator Paul Chase.

“Somebody set some lawn furniture on fire next to the house,” Chase said, noting that it happened under similar circumstances as the others. The side of the house was blackened all the way up to the eaves.

The other fires were discovered between 3 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. The fire at Opportunity Baptist Church, 13620 E. Broadway Ave., was the first to be reported. Other fires occurred at 13315 E. Cataldo Ave.; 11013 E. Mission Ave.; 9408 E. Mission Ave.; and 13507 E. Mission Ave., apartment 7. No injuries were reported.

Chase declined to release details on the fires, citing the ongoing investigation. “It takes time and we need help,” he said.

Other arson fires were discovered earlier Sunday morning in Deer Park and on the South Hill. The fire at 2408 W. Staley Ave. in Deer Park seemed to involve a person pouring a flammable liquid on the ground next to a pole building, then igniting it, said Fire District 4 Chief Ed Lewis.

“I don’t believe it’s related” to the Spokane Valley fires, Lewis said. “The whole process is different.”

It was reported just after midnight and witnesses reported seeing a maroon or dark red four-door car with a bra on the front leaving the area quickly, said Spokane County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Cpl. Dave Reagan. One of the witnesses told deputies that the driver was a male in his 20s with short blond curly hair.

The South Hill fire, at 3516 E. 62nd Ave., was called in just after 2 a.m. Someone ignited a bush next to the front door on fire and rang the doorbell before fleeing, said Fire District 8 fire investigator Tim Archer. That fire is still under investigation.