The fire that heavily damaged an apartment above a Vancouver restaurant Monday was likely started by a charging electronic tablet, according to investigators. The blaze, reported just before 3:10 p.m. at Igloo Restaurant, 3128 E. Evergreen Blvd., caused an estimated $75,000 fire and smoke damage, Vancouver Lead Deputy Fire Marshal Chris Drone said.
- PUB DATE: 3/15/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Columbian

Washington Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz said 2.7 million acres of state land is in poor health and some of that is at risk of catastrophic wildfire. Franz has asked the state Legislature for $38 million this year -- a big ask in a year when the legislature is mandated to solve an education funding deficit and has other requests.
- PUB DATE: 3/14/2017 5:45:21 PM - SOURCE: Northwest Public Radio

A woman was found dead in the debris of a one-story home that burned early Tuesday in Medical Lake. Firefighters were called to the home near 703 E. Barker St. at 12:45 a.m., said Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Gregory. When they arrived on scene, firefighters saw flames and lots of smoke coming from the home.
- PUB DATE: 3/14/2017 2:07:25 PM - SOURCE: Spokane Spokesman-Review

Surveillance video shows a gas pump burst into a ball of flames after being hit by an SUV on Monday night in North Seattle. That crash ended a series of incidents into which another driver was seriously injured. Police say the SUV driver is the employee of a ride-share service. The events began just before 8:00 p.
- PUB DATE: 3/14/2017 11:00:09 AM - SOURCE: KEPR-TV CBS 19

The Spokane County Sheriff's Office confirms a female victim died in an early-morning house fire on Tuesday. Firefighters responded to the call near Barker and Stanley around midnight. It wasn't until after the flames were out that the body was discovered. Home was fully involved when firefighters arrived.
- PUB DATE: 3/14/2017 10:46:22 AM - SOURCE: KXLY-TV ABC 4