The Spokane Fire Department worked for several hours to knock down a commercial building blaze near Riverside Avenue and Helena Street.
The building, home to Tormino’s Sash and Glass, was occupied when the fire began but was not open for business, said John Tormino Jr., the current owner. The younger Tormino had taken over the business from his father, John Tormino, who died in May.
Tormino said he and another person were inside when they heard a loud explosion coming from the bathroom area.
“I was down here doing some paperwork and I heard an explosion, had no idea where it came from – it kind of sounded like a sonic boom,” Tormino said.