The Spokane Valley Fire Department is mourning the loss of firefighter and paramedic Capt. Steve Hatcher, who died today. Department spokeswoman Melanie Rose said late Wednesday that Hatcher died after having a medical issue while off duty. Further details will be released Thursday, Rose said. Hatcher had been with the department for more than 20 years.
- PUB DATE: 8/5/2015 9:39:32 PM - SOURCE: Spokane Spokesman-Review

Two people were injured in a fire Wednesday afternoon that destroyed their home and spread to the neighbor's house, leaving both families displaced. The fire started about 2:15 p.m. along 110th Place SW in the Harbour Pointe neighborhood of Mukilteo. The cause is under investigation. A man and a woman who live in the destroyed house were taken to the hospital, Mukilteo Fire Chief Chris Alexander said.
- PUB DATE: 8/5/2015 8:01:20 PM - SOURCE: Everett Herald

Amid the bright images of smiling grandchildren on Marv Koorn’s Oak Harbor office wall is a stark black-and-white photo. The tall, lanky fire chief is standing next to the wreckage of a three-car crash on Highway 20. It’s night, and firefighters are pulling nine injured people from the wreckage. In one arm Koorn is holding a radio, in command of the scene.
- PUB DATE: 8/5/2015 1:09:34 PM - SOURCE: Whidbey News-Times