On February 4, 2025, Spokane experienced two significant house fires that led to the displacement of multiple families, emphasizing the critical role of fire safety. The first fire broke out at 3:37 p. m. on North Belt Street, where firefighters arrived within three minutes but found heavy flames engulfing the front of a 1. 5-story home.

A woman and her two children managed to escape, alerted by functioning smoke alarms, although the mother sustained injuries during the evacuation and was treated at the hospital. Firefighters were able to control the fire in ten minutes, but the residence incurred over $250,000 in damages, with the tragic loss of three dogs and a cat. Shortly after, at 2:14 a. m. , a second fire was reported on North Astor Street, where firefighters faced severe hoarding conditions while extinguishing the blaze contained to a first-floor bedroom.

Fortunately, an infant present was evaluated for smoke inhalation but required no medical intervention. The Red Cross is assisting the affected families, which include four adults and two children from the first fire and five adults and one infant from the second. Investigators are still determining the cause of both fires, but the importance of working smoke alarms has been highlighted in ensuring safe evacuations.