Remains Found in Spokane Home Likely Those of Evacuee Refuser

The remains are with the Spokane County Coroner.

Person Who Refused to Evacuate Upriver Area Believed to Have Died in Fire

The Spokane County Sheriff's Office and Fire Units are investigating a Tuesday evening incident, where it appears a person refused to leave their home and flee the deadly Upriver Fire. At least 15 homes were destroyed in the blaze.

Around 5:20 PM 9-1-1 received a call from a person who said they were concerned about a family member who lived in the burned area, and they had not heard from them. Due to fire and other dangerous conditions, Officers were not able to access the home.

Call Notes Confirmed a Person in the Area Had Refused Evacuation Orders

Earlier in the day, it was confirmed that one of the residents refused to leave. Around 2:30 PM later that afternoon, Deputies and Spokane Police went to the home in question, knocked, called out they were Officers, then entered the home briefly. Flames from homes next door and trees began to pelt the building.

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Again, they called out for anyone inside to come out and leave, several times, but then the home began to burn.

Officers Returned to The Home Wednesday

At that point the Deputies and Police were ordered to evacuate immediately. Wednesday afternoon, around 1:15 PM, Officers again went to the home and found the human remains.

No other information has yet been released.