Wood chip hopper catches fire at Spokane Valley business

Wood chips in a large steel hopper caught fire Wednesday afternoon at The Pallet Place at 10315 E. Buckeye Lane in Spokane Valley.

Several Spokane Valley Fire Department crews responded to the 2:30 p.m. call. They sprayed the hopper with water from above and below as it was slowly emptied onto the ground, according to a fire department news release.

The fire was likely started by a spark from the wood chipper that feeds into the hopper, the fire department said.