Fire chars apartment building in Browne’s Addition
A two- alarm apartment building fire in Browne’s Addition drew dozens of firefighters in the sweltering heat just before noon Friday. The first units to arrive at the Greentree Apartments at 1919 W. Pacific Ave. saw heavy smoke and fire coming from the third floor of the building, said Spokane Fire Department Deputy Chief of Operations Mark John . A second alarm was immediately called to get more crews to battle the fire. Mike Varne lives in the basement level of the building and said someone was banging on doors to warn residents of the fire. “I was sitting,” he said. “Somebody knocked on my door and said there’s a fire, get the hell out,” Varne said. The flames were out within 20 minutes and crews cut several holes in the roof. Damage was limited to the third floor, John said. “There’s heavy charring,” he said. As firefighters worked there were several ambulances parked nearby , though no one was injured in the fire. John said they were there to assist any firefighters overcome b...