SPOKANE VALLEY – On October 30, 2023, in the early morning hours, a devastating house fire erupted on the 9800 block of East Dalton Avenue. This tragic incident claimed the lives of two children and two dogs and left a profound impact on both the community and the first responders.
At approximately 2:48 AM, the Spokane Valley Fire Department responded to a 911 call reporting a house fire. Upon arrival, they were met with a horrifying scene as visible flames engulfed the residence. The situation was escalated to a second-alarm fire, and additional resources were swiftly dispatched.
Valley Engine 2 arrived on the scene quickly, encountering the front of the home fully engulfed in flames, with one individual attempting to combat the fire using a garden hose. The cause of the fire was found to be improper disposal of cigarettes according to officials.
Multiple law enforcement and emergency response agencies converged on the scene.
Firefighters entered the burning home, their primary objective being to search for two occupants believed to be inside.
They located two children, and despite engaging in 45 minutes of life-saving measures, including CPR, their efforts were tragically unsuccessful. Both children were pronounced deceased at the scene.
Additionally, two family dogs perished in the fire, and an adult victim sustained minor injuries and was transported to the hospital for treatment.
The identity of this adult, initially reported as the father of the children, remains unconfirmed at this time. A firefighter was also injured during the incident but is expected to recover.
Avista was also called to secure gas lines and cut off power to the home.
The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office will eventually release the names of the deceased individuals, as well as the cause and manner of death, at a later time when it is deemed appropriate.
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
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