Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Brian Schaeffer, Assistant Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 12/13/2007
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 10305 North Moore Street
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99208

NARRATIVE: On Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 5:17 PM, 5 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 3 Engines, 1 Senior Ladder and 1 Heavy Rescue under the direction of Battalion Chief Moline responded to a reported house fire at 10305 North Moore Street.

The first company (Engine 17) arrived within four minutes to discover heavy smoke and fire showing from a two-story, single family wood framed house with multiple exposures. Initial companies immediately upgraded the alarm to a "working fire" which added and additional Engine and support for the operation. Off-duty Battalion Chief Fielder was the initial incident commander as lives in the neighborhood. He assisted the initial crews assemble their equipment and coordinated their efforts.

Despite the safeguards in-place on scene, a two-person team of firefighters working on the first floor under heavy fire conditions experienced a partial fall into the basement when a section of flooring above the main fire collapsed beneath them. The company was in communication with the incident commander and they were able to exit the structure together to guarantee their accountability. Within minutes of the report, all firefighters were accounted for safely through the SFD's passport accountability system. The firefighters were briefly evaluated and returned to the fireground within minutes.

Notwithstanding the extreme cold and heavy snow, the fire was reported out nearly an hour into the incident. There were no injuries to civilians and minor injuries to a firefighter.

PROBABLE CAUSE: The fire originated in the basement and grew, undetected, for a significant amount of time. The family was home at the time of the fire, however were separated from the area of origin. The cause of the fire was determined to be an overloaded electrical outlet in the basement. Large amounts of combustibles fueled the fire and it spread rapidly causing significant damage to the first and second floors. A smoke detector was located on the second floor; however none were operating in the basement.
DAMAGE EXTENT: There is considerable damage throughout all floors due to heat and rapid fire promulgation. The most damage, however, is in the basement and first floor. The home is not able to be reoccupied and utilities have been disconnected.
DOLLAR LOSS: 250,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 21
MUTUAL AID: None Given