75% of Malden buildings destroyed

MALDEN — High winds and dry weather conditions propelled a wall of flames southwest across rural Spokane and Whitman counties Monday, leveling homes, businesses and government offices.

Approximately 75 percent of structures in Malden burned to the ground, including City Hall, the post office, a gas station and a historic church.

Burned out cars were visible throughout town adjacent to what was left of homes and garages.

Local ranchers and residents manned hoses and buckets of water to try to keep flames at bay as they returned to their homes late Monday evening.

Dubbed the Babbs Fire, the caus...