Crews extinguish ‘suspicious’ fire

YAKIMA — An early-morning blaze that damaged a small building situated in an alley is suspicious, according to Yakima fire officials.

Crews responded to the fire in the 300 block of South Sixth Street about 12:30 a.m. Thursday and found the exterior of a roughly 20-foot-by-20-foot structure in flames, according to Yakima firefighters.

A crew of seven quickly extinguished the blaze, limiting flames to an exterior wall and part of the roof while saving its interior from any damage. No one was home at the time of the fire, but the dwelling is still livable, firefighters said.

Damage was estimated at $5,000, and the fire’s cause doesn’t appear to be accidental, firefighters said.