Saturday, September 04, 2010

Fire Press Release Three fer

ISSUING OFFICER: Craig Cornelius / Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 9/2/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 5111 S. Regal
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99223

NARRATIVE: On Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 at 1622 hours, six Companies of Spokane Firefighters; 3 engines, 1 pumper ladder, 2 senior ladders and 1 heavy rescue apparatus responded to a report of a fire at the Regal Ridge apartments located at 5111 S. Regal.

The first arriving company was Engine 14 from the neighborhood fire station located at 18th and Ray. Engine 14 arrived at the back of the complex within 6 minutes from the time Fire Dispatch received the original call. Engine 14's officer, Lt. Schoenleber, reported that he had located an apartment unit at the back of the complex that was filled with black smoke. Engine 14 reported to the other responding fire crews that they were advancing a hose line into the involved unit and were evacuating tenants from the adjacent units.

Engine 14's crew (Lt. Schoenleber, Driver Gordon Ormesher, and FF Eric Ross) knocked the fire down with 150 gallons of water that is carried in the tank of E14. Arriving Firefighters assisted in ventilation and confining the fire to the one apartment unit. Although the fire was immediately knocked down, crews worked at the scene for about an hour and a half. The fire was confined to the kitchen area of the apartment with heavy smoke damage throughout. No civilians or Firefighters were injured at this incident. The Red Cross responded and is assisting the occupants from the burned out unit.

Narrow access driveways and improperly parked vehicles made it very difficult for the responding fire apparatus to maneuver to the back of this facility. This is reoccurring challenge that the Fire Department has to deal with when responding to fires in many of the apartments within the city. Citizens are encouraged to park only in the designated areas around their apartments and to keep the fire lanes clear for emergency vehicles.

This fire is under investigation at this time, but early indicators are leading to a cause of unattended cooking grease on the stove. (SFD investigators are still in the process of interviewing those connected to this incident.)

PROBABLE CAUSE: The fire is still under investigation. (More than likely accidental, cooking related.)
DAMAGE EXTENT: One apartment unit.
DOLLAR LOSS: 20,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 25
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE

ISSUING OFFICER: Bob Green/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 9/3/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 329 E Princeton
CITY: Spokane,
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99207

NARRATIVE: The Spokane City Fire Dept. dispatched fire fighting crews and their apparatus on Thursday evening, Sept. 2nd to 329 E. Princeton at 21:57 hrs. for a reported structure fire. The first arriving fire company, from Sta. #15 located in the Hillyard neighborhood, reported smoke issuing from the closed front door and smoke and flame starting to appear at a basement window of the single story wood/frame residence. As other fire apparatus began arriving on scene, assignments were being made that would include forcing entry into the locked structure, placing hose lines in service to be taken inside the structure and down into the basement, horizontal ventilation of the building, search for any victims on all the floors, securing a water supply for the strategically placed Engine that would be supplying the water to the hose lines, a back-up hose line to protect the firefighters who would be making initial entry into the building, additional hose lines to protect neighboring structures that were beginning to be exposed to the growing flames as they were now extending out and up from the basement windows, and the formation of a Rapid Intervention Team who would be standing by to rescue any firefighter who might become injured, lost, or trapped inside the building. Crews began to force the front door and soon made entry into the structure dragging their hose lines in with them. As they searched in the blackness that greeted them they were unable to find the basement stairs due to a heavy accumulation of stored items and material piled high in the access area to those stairs. While all this was occurring on the first floor the fire continued to grow in size, intensity, and heat in the basement to the point where the firefighters had to abandon their original strategy of directly attacking the fire and were ordered to back out for safety considerations. Once the crews had exited the building a decision was made to introduce compressed air foam into the basement via the basement windows in the hope that the fire in the basement could be knocked down by the thick, wet, foam that was being produced by the Engine out in the street at the front of the structure. The foam soon began to get the upper hand on the growing flames and eventually the fire was extinguished. The combined efforts of the men and women of the Fire Dept. at this fire kept the flames confined to the basement but not before serious damage was done to the floor joist system of the building. The fire burned hot and for a long time before the cooling effects of the foam could put it out. Areas of the upper floor were sagging to the point that firefighters were ordered to stay off the floors in those areas as collapse of the floors became a real possibility. Five Engines, one Ladder Truck, one Heavy Rescue Rig, and two Command Vehicles delivered 25 firefighters to the scene of this stubborn blaze. The fire damage was limited to the basement although there was collateral damage done to areas of the first floor as efforts were made to get at the basement through other avenues since the stairs were not an option. The tenants of the home were out of town at the time of the fire. There were no reports of any injuries to firefighters at the scene. A member of the Spokane City Fire Dept's Special Investigation Unit was at the fire but not able to begin his investigation until the foam has dissipated in the basement and that would not occur until Friday morning around daybreak. A fire crew will remain at the scene all night long to be on the alert for any rekindle which might occur. The total damage assessment will be made by the investigator once he is able to examine the basement and the rest of the house in the light of day.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Under Investigation
DAMAGE EXTENT: Heavy fire damage to the basement, smoke damage throughout the structure.
DOLLAR LOSS: 50,000.00
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 25
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE

ISSUING OFFICER: AC Schaeffer
DATE OF INCIDENT: 9/4/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Multiple Alarms
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1838 East South Riverton Avenue
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99217

NARRATIVE: On Saturday September 4, 2010 at 2:31 AM, 7 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 4 Engines, 2 Senior Ladders, 1 Heavy Rescue, under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Cornelius and Haworth Structure Fire at 1838 East South Riverton Avenue.

First arriving firefighters rapidly coordinated the evacuation and rescue of the dozens of occupants who had fled the building. As additional SFD crews arrived, they methodically searched the 170' x 70' three-story apartment building and removed many occupants from ladders and through exits.

The fire traveled quickly throughout the roof and the third floor. Ladder companies immediately and successfully vertically vented the fire from above as engines stretched multiple hoselines to the fire floors to successfully stop the fire's progress.

As a result of the fire and a need to secure utilities, 21 apartment units were deemed temporarily untenable. Assisting 60 residents in their need for temporary accommodations were staff from the building's management and volunteers from the Spokane Chapter of the American Red Cross. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians.

PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of this early morning blaze is under investigation by the SFD's Special Investigation unit.
DAMAGE EXTENT: There is extensive damage to the third floor throughout the entire building. Power to the building has been shut down and controlled by Avista. FD Command Staff are remaining on site to assist residents in retrieving their personal effects until morning when the structural integrity of the roof will be determined. Residents may be able to reoccupy limited areas later this afternoon depending on the result of the structural evaluation.
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE:
MUTUAL AID: Fire District 1, Fire District 9


For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE

Thursday, September 02, 2010

Fire Press Release Two fer

ISSUING OFFICER: AC Schaeffer
DATE OF INCIDENT: 9/1/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 3627 North Division Street
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99207

NARRATIVE: On Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 9:48 PM, 6 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 3 Engines, 1 Ladder, 1 Pumper/Ladder and 1 Heavy Rescue under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Jones, Sabo and Haworth, responded to a reported Structure Fire at 3627 North Division Street (Tung Loon Restaurant).

Firefighters responding to the alarm arrived quickly to find fire and heavy smoke showing from the roof of the 3000 square foot restaurant. To more effectively fight the fire, the incident commander immediately ordered more resources including an additional Ladder and Engine.

Swiftly forcing entry into building, which was secured and appeared closed for the evening, Spokane Firefighters commenced a well-coordinated search of the premises and an attack on the fire above. While their colleagues skillfully protected the restaurant's kitchen equipment and office below, firefighters held the flames within the attic, roof and circumferential mansard of the restaurant. During the attack on the fire, the incident commander did order a withdrawal of resources from the interior of the building due to concerns of collapse which occurred nearly 15 minutes after the order.

The fire was declared under control within an hour of its discovery. There were neither injuries to civilians nor firefighters.


PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of this early morning blaze is categorized as electrical, and attributed to exterior lighting near the fire's origin.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Damage to the restaurant's roof and dining area is extensive.
DOLLAR LOSS: 100000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 38
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE

ISSUING OFFICER: AC Schaeffer
DATE OF INCIDENT: 9/2/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 734 East Baldwin Avenue
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99207

NARRATIVE: On Wednesday September 1, 2010 at 5:48 PM, 7 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 3 Engines, 1 Heavy Rescue and 3-Senior Ladders under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Green and Moline responded to a reported residential fire at 734 East Baldwin Avenue.

The first unit arrived within 2 minutes and reported a one-story duplex with smoke showing from the front of the building. Ladder Companies were utilized to gain access to the affected unit and immediately searched for victims while other companies confined the fire to the area of origin. It took 24 Firefighters just 10 minutes to locate and knock down the fire and control the incident. Firefighters were able to contain the damage to one unit and prevent it from spreading into the adjoining unit and roof and ceiling areas. The occupant was not at home at the time of the fire, however two canines were rescued from the affected unit and returned to their owner through Spokanimal.

No civilians or firefighters were injured as a result of the incident.

PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of this incident was determined to be accidental and a result of an energized curling iron next to combustibles.

DAMAGE EXTENT: Significant damage in the area of origin and moderate smoke damage throughout the unit.
DOLLAR LOSS: 8000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 24
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: AC Brian Schaeffer
DATE OF INCIDENT: 8/29/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Information
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1003 E Ermina
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99207

NARRATIVE: On Sunday, August 29, 2010 at 0116 Hours (1:16AM PST), six Companies of Spokane Firefighters; three engines, two senior ladders and one heavy rescue under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Moline and Haworth responded to a Civilian Fatality Structure Fire at 1003 East Ermina in Spokane's Northeast Side.

Firefighters arrived quickly to discover fire showing from all sides of the single story single-family residence. Another home and garage were quickly identified as exposures due to their close proximity to the quick-moving fire. Firefighters entered the structure using handlines and mounted a bold assault on the fire, and simultaneously provided ventilation of heat and smoke to assist with the search for reported persons missing within the confines of the wood frame home.

The swift moving flames, which spread throughout the 700 square foot home, was ultimately confined to the structure and extinguished in just 15 minutes.

During the initial phase of fire extinguishment, Firefighters searching the residence discovered the remains of an adult near an exit. The victim was declared deceased at the scene. Three large canines were also found deceased.

During fireground operations, additional Fire and EMS resources were ordered and the alarm was upgraded to a working fire which added supplementary resources to assist in the search and management of the incident. There were no injuries to firefighters or other civilians on this incident.


PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of this early morning blaze remains under active investigation by the Spokane Fire Department's Special Investigation Unit. The presence of smoke alarms and possible functional status has not yet been determined.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Monetary loss from the fire is still being tabulated.
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 27
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE