Fire torches house in north Spokane

Firefighters are investigating a blaze that badly damaged a home in north Spokane early Tuesday.

Crews were called to the home at 1653 E. Nebraska Ave. at about 2:20 a.m. after two people inside smelled smoke and evacuated, according to a Spokane Fire Department news release.

The fire torched the room where it started and caused smoke damage throughout the house, the fire department said. No injuries were reported.

The fire is under investigation by the fire department’s Special Investigation Unit.

Smoke detectors inside the home were not functioning. The fire department urged residents to maintain smoke detectors and sleep with bedroom doors closed to slow the spread of fires.