Staff Report
The Spokesman Review
SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane firefighters on Friday battled an electrical fire in Spokane’s West Central neighborhood that displaced eight people from a two-story home that had been converted into apartments.
But along with finding flames at the residence, responders discovered a marijuana grow operation, Spokane Fire Department Assistant Chief Brian Schaeffer said.
Crews responded at 4:43 a.m. to 1001 N. Elm St., where heavy smoke billowed from the second story of the home. All eight occupants were able to evacuate under heavy smoke conditions, Schaeffer said.
Firefighters battled the fire for about 90 minutes.
The building sustained about $30,000 in damage, Schaeffer said.
The marijuana was reported to the Spokane Police Department.
Copyright 2011 Spokane Spokesman-Review