Deputies: Pair from Tacoma pretend to be firefighters, loot Spokane homes abandoned during wildfires

Evacuating after Gray Fire explodes in Spokane County

Newly obtained video from Spokane County shows residents evacuating their homes due to the rapidly spreading Gray Fire. Spokane County declared a State of Emergency on Saturday. The fire has turned deadly, and is currently at 9,500 acres and 0% contained.

SPOKANE, Wash. - Two people from Tacoma were arrested after deputies say they took advantage of people who were forced to evacuate as several wildfires razed through Spokane.

The Spokane County Sheriff's Department said they arrested a man and a woman from Tacoma for allegedly pretending to be firefighters and then looting homes abandoned by people impacted by the Gray Fire. Deputies say the pair dressed up like firefighters.

During a press conference on Tuesday, city officials reiterated that they are taking extra measures to help those feel safe, including initiating safety patrols and maintaining checkpoints.

2nd person found dead in eastern Washington wildfires, hundreds of structures burned

Authorities say a second person has died in wildfires in eastern Washington state that have burned hundreds of structures and briefly closed a section of an interstate.

Residents had previously expressed concerns about their belongings and the possibility of looters if they had to evacuate.

It's unclear what charges the pair could be facing.

Law enforcement did not specify whether the pair came from Tacoma to Spokane with the intent of looting from the abandoned homes or if they were already in the area when the fire broke out.