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Airway Heights firefighters save several businesses in large fire

The fire was first reported around 8:35 p.m. off Highway 2 near South Lawson and Campbell streets.

AIRWAY HEIGHTS, Wash. — A vacant apartment building in Airway Heights is likely a total loss after a large fire late Tuesday night. The fire was first reported around 8:45 p.m. off Highway 2 near South Lawson and Campbell streets.

The fire has been knocked down as of Wednesday morning, but fire crews remain on the scene watching for any hotspots. Firefighters have also not been able to enter the building yet because it is unstable.

The fire started in an old motel that transformed into apartment units. The building has been abandoned for the last three to four months. Officials say it's a known squatter location. 

When firefighters arrived, flames were already breaking through the roof of the building. Crews noticed the roof starting to collapse and fought the fire from outside the building.

Firefighters also worked to protect several businesses right next to the burning building.

“On the other side of this building, we have a strip mall that has Domino’s Pizza and a couple of other businesses. And so our focus was trying to make sure those buildings were not affected," Airway Heights Fire Department Deputy Chief Andres Steevens said.

Video Credit: Shelby Rane Leonard

No firefighters were injured and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Firefighters hope to secure the building today so they can go inside and check to make sure no one was inside the building. 

This is an ongoing investigation and we will provide more updates as they become available.

WATCH MORE: Airway Heights fire crews responding to large structure fire

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