Child Injured in Basement Fire Reminds About Youth Fire Setting

Child Injured in Basement Fire Reminds About Youth Fire Setting

Justin de Ruyter, Spokane Fire PIO, [email protected]

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 10 a.m.

On Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 4:23 p.m., firefighters responded to multiple reports of a house fire in the 1200 block of East 33rd Ave. Responders were informed that a child had been burned in a fire originating from the basement. Engine 11 from the Comstock neighborhood arrived within three minutes and observed flames coming from a basement window. As firefighters entered the home to extinguish the fire and conduct a search, other responders assessed two fire victims.

During the search, firefighters found an unconscious dog and revived it with oxygen outside. The fire was controlled within 15 minutes, limiting most fire damage to a basement bedroom, though heavy smoke and heat affected the rest of the home. The two victims were an adult male, transported to the hospital with minor injuries, and a six-year-old boy, transported with minor burns to his lower extremity.

The investigation determined the fire was started by the six-year-old, who has developmental disabilities and a recent history of playing with fire. This is the third similar incident in the city in the past six months. All three cases involved young males with developmental disabilities and a history of fire interest, with fires starting on mattresses in bedrooms. Two incidents resulted in minor or no injuries, while one led to the death of the fire setter and injuries to another occupant.

We want to remind residents that resources are available to support children with an interest in fire or a history of fire play. The Youth Fire Setting Program is an educational, non-punitive program for youth ages 5 to 12. The program is designed to:

• Teach youth that fire cannot be controlled.
• Explain the basic consequences of setting fires and what may happen if it occurs again.
• Involve youth in creating a safety plan for their home.

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