Fire destroys shed, semi-trailer at West Thorpe Road business

GEIGER HEIGHTS – A fire Monday evening destroyed a shop and semi-trailer at the Victory Transportation building located at 6207 W. Thorpe Road, just east of the Geiger interchange on Interstate 90 and west of Grove Road.

According to information from Spokane County Fire District 10's Facebook page, firefighters received a call of a structure fire at the facility at approximately 5:25 p.m. Dispatchers at 911 also told crews that personnel at the Spokane International Airport tower just across I-90 to the west could see flames from a structure.

Upon arriving within five minute of the initial call, District 10 and District 3 firefighters found the shed fully engulfed, and called for mutual aid support from fire departments with the cities of Airway Heights and Spokane, along with Fairchild Air Force Base. According to news reports, at least 75 firefighters were eventually involved in fighting the fire.

Both the shed and a nearby semi-trailer were declared a total loss as fire fighters remained onsite through the night to deal with hot spots that could flare up. A team from American Medical Response was also onsite.

At press time on Tuesday, Jan. 12, the cause of the blaze had not been confirmed. News reports indicated the fire could have started from a possible oil or propane spill.

According to its website, Victory Transportation is a delivery company with a "fleet of vehicles to cover all modes of transportation." The company operates over 50 vehicles ranging from mini vans and box trucks to semi-trailer trucks and employs over 80 drivers making deliveries "25/7, 365 days a year."