Man injured in house fire in South Perry neighborhood

A man was taken to a local hospital Tuesday morning after his house caught fire in Spokane’s South Perry neighborhood.

Firefighters were called to the home at 1335 E. Nina Ave. just before 7:30 a.m. when a witness reported seeing smoke coming from the home and a man sleeping on the front porch, Spokane Fire Battalion Chief Bruce Moline said.

Moline said fires were found in several parts of the house and didn’t necessarily appear connected. The largest fire was in the northeast corner of the basement, and the damage was mostly contained there, he said. The cause hasn’t officially been determined.

Moline said the man was the only occupant of the house and was not sleeping when firefighters arrived. The man had trouble breathing after inhaling smoke, but he was alert and talking when he was loaded into an ambulance.

Spokane Public Schools spokesman Kevin Morrison said a small amount of smoke wafted into Grant Elementary School, which is across the street from the home. The district brought in industrial fans to help clear the air.