Saturday, June 23, 2007

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Battalion Chief Steve Sabo
DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/22/2007
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 2442 N. Perry and 1412 E. Jackson
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP:

NARRATIVE: At 6:38 PM on Friday, June 22, 2007 the Spokane Fire Department responded a single fire company to a reported brush and debris fire near a garage at 2442 N. Perry in the city of Spokane. The responding crew reported, enroute, a large column of smoke and requested a full alarm response. Upon arrival they found a detached two-car garage fully involved, as well as a second garage and two adjacent houses on fire. Additionally, two pickups, a car, and a travel trailer were beginning to catch fire from the heat. Smoke from the fire was easily visible to fire crews responding from downtown. An electrical service line to one of the houses burned through and dropped to the ground, arching and popping as crews carefully worked around it. The main body of fire was knocked down within 15 minutes, but engine and ladder companies worked several hours longer to expose and extinguish hidden fire in both of the houses. There were no occupants in either house at the time of the fire. A search for victims did locate one dog and one cat in the second house, which was addressed 1412 E. Jackson. Both were pets were uninjured and were safely secluded in the basement until animal control personnel could respond. Avista responded to secure the damaged electrical service wires. 28 firefighters responded to this fire, including two battalion chiefs and two investigators. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters. Red Cross responded to the scene and will provide accommodations for a total of seven displaced adults from both houses.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of this fire is still under investigation, but appears to have started in the area of the two-car garage. Investigators haven't determined whether the fire started inside or outside of the garage.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The overall dollar loss, including four structures and four vehicles, will likely exceed $60,000.
DOLLAR LOSS: 60,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 28
MUTUAL AID: None Given

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Brian Schaeffer, Assistant Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/20/2007
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 601 East Francis Avenue
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99208

NARRATIVE: On Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 2:33 AM, 10 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 4 Engines, 1 Heavy Rescue, 2 Ladders under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Dan Brown and Bruce Moline responded to a commercial structure fire at 601 East Francis Avenue.

Firefighters were initially dispatched to cell phone report of black smoke coming from the roof of the Teriyaki Plus Restaurant. While enroute, a Spokane Police Officer relayed to our dispatch that there was a working fire in the building.

When the first company arrived they encountered a single story strip mall with approximately four businesses located in it. There was an intense fire in the far west business and the fire was progressively consuming the interior contents and moving quickly east towards the remaining businesses. The alarm was immediately upgraded to include the resources mentioned. After forcing entry on several security doors, crews stretched multiple handlines and were able to access the burning business and begin an aggressive attack on the fire while simultaneously searching for possible victims. Concurrently, vertical ventilation from ladder companies aided to prevent the fire from traveling to other businesses in the attic and cockloft spaces.

It took 30 Firefighters just 45 minutes to knock down the fire and control the incident. Firefighters were able to contain the spread of fire to the business of origin and limit additional damage to the adjoining businesses from smoke and products of combustion. No civilians or firefighters were injured as a result of the incident.

*Media- real-time digital dash video from this incident is available from Spokane 20's command unit. It is in DVD format and can be accessed by contacting Dean Pearcy at Media Services 625-7036

PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of this incident is under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department. Investigators are still on-scene conducting interviews, examining physical evidence and assisting the business owners as much as we can.
DAMAGE EXTENT: A damage assessment is expected this afternoon and we will follow up with that information as it becomes available. There are multiple agencies assisting the businesses including; Department of Health, Avista, the SFD and other family and friends.
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 30
MUTUAL AID: None Given