SPOKANE, WA — An 11-year-old boy died early Monday after a house fire in northwest Spokane, according to the Spokane Fire Department. Crews were dispatched at 12:14 a.m. to the 4000 block of West Rowan Avenue for reports of a basement fire with people trapped.
Engine 16, which had just cleared a nearby medical call, arrived within five minutes and found flames showing from a basement window of the single-story home. Firefighters entered through the front door and quickly located a disoriented adult female, helping her outside to safety.
Heavy smoke and heat initially prevented crews from reaching the basement through the interior stairwell. Firefighters applied water from outside to cool the fire room before advancing inward. Once inside the basement bedroom where the fire originated, firefighters found the 11-year-old boy. He was removed through a basement window and pronounced deceased at the scene. Two dogs and a cat were also found dead during additional searches…