Fire knocks out Cheney PD, city communications

A small fire at Eastern Washington University knocked out phone communications to the Cheney Police Department and other city departments and services early Monday evening, Aug. 31.

Police Chief John Hensley said a contractor was cutting concrete in a utility tunnel on Eastern's campus when flying sparks ignited a small fire. The fire burned through insulation in communications wiring in the tunnel and severed the fiber optic cable serving the city.

Cheney Police are currently in contact with the Spokane County Sheriff's Office, and are rerouting 9-1-1 calls to a console with county dispatch....