Spokane fire is causing destruction. But this somehow survived

Despite the neighborhood around it burning due to the wildfires in Spokane, Washington, an Amazon package stored inside a mailbox was untouched.

Spokane resident Alex Smith captured the video on Sunday, Aug. 2.

"The entire neighborhood's burned down around me, even the (expletive) mailbox but somehow, the (expletive) Amazon package survived,” Smith said in the 13-second clip. “How?"

In the viral video, Smith moves closer to the damaged plastic mailbox with its drooping, melted opening, giving viewers a look inside. The brown Amazon box appears to be completely unburned, with the company’s signature blue Amazon Prime tape intact as well.

Surrounding the package and the mailbox that seemingly protected it from the fire is a neighborhood full of burned-down houses.

“It was a heart-wrenching sight to see,” Smith told Storyful. “Also made me curious as to how the entire neighborhood around me is flattened but this package is the only thing to survive considering it’s cardboard.”

USA TODAY contacted Smith on Tuesday, Aug. 4, for more information.

Fires have damaged thousands of acres

The damage comes in the midst of the Spokane area fires, including the Old Trails Fire, the Autumn Lane Fire and the Fairview Fire. The fires started on Saturday, Aug. 1 and have burned over 10,000 acres as of this week.

Local officials in Spokane have since created a Facebook page and other websites to share updates with the public.

“Cooler temperatures, higher humidities and thick smoke over the fire area on Sunday allowed firefighters to make significant gains on the Old Trails fire and Fairview fire,” city officials wrote in an update on Facebook on Aug. 3. “Today, firefighters will continue immediate suppression efforts, point protection and life safety throughout the Spokane Area Fires.”

Officials have reported an “unconfirmed estimate” of at least 600 structures damaged throughout the fire area.

The fires have led to about 65,000 people being evacuated, destroyed hundreds of buildings and sent toxic smoke into the air.

On Aug. 3, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office announced it had charged Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, with first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire. He is a convicted felon and lives in Spokane, the sheriff's office said. 

The office said it is still investigating the cause of the Autumn Lane and Fairview Fires.

This story has been updated to add in the material the mailbox was made of.

Contributing: Christopher Cann, USA TODAY

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s trending team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at [email protected].