A former used car dealership was heavily damaged by fire early Wednesday morning in Spokane Valley.
Spokane Valley Firefighters were called to the former Best Bet Auto, 4605 E. Sprague Ave. just before 4:30 a.m. Crews from Valley Engine 6 were first to arrive and immediately noticed heavy smoke and fire billowing from the structure.
Shawn Pichette, spokesman for the Spokane Valley Fire Department, said the flames were too intense for firefighters to enter the structure, so they instead set up hoses and dumped water on the fire from the outside. Pichette said the building was most likely empty, but it was a popular spot for homeless people to break in and sleep for the night.