[1] Due to technical problems with a pump station, there was no water pressure in the city when the fire started.

As a result of the fire and its aftermath, virtually all of Spokane's downtown was destroyed, though only one person was killed.

Theories included a cooking fire in a lunchroom, a curling iron being heated in a kerosene lamp, and a spark from a passing train.

The Great Ellensburg Fire resulted in the city's bid to become the state capital ending in failure.

The main building was designed by Richard H. Martin, Jr.[5] After the Great Fire of 1889 and the rebuilding of the downtown, the city was reincorporated under the present name of "Spokane" in 1891.