Saturday, December 24, 2011

Fire Press Release

South Battalion Duplex Fire

Incident #: 2011051778#
Date of Incident: 12/24/2011
Issuing Officer: Battalion Chief Bill Donahoe

Narrative:
On Saturday December 23rd 2011 at 03:54, four engine companies, two senior ladders, one heavy rescue under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Donahoe and Jones responded to a Structure Fire at 2303 East Mission. Firefighters arrived to find smoke emitting for the roof eves of a single story duplex. The first engine company reported heavy fire in the basement of the affected unit. Companies made a complete search of both the 2303 and 2305 addressed units of the duplex. The 50 year old male occupant from the affected unit suffered smoke inhalation but made it out of the building prior to the Fire Departments arrival. He is being treated at Holy Family Hospital. Three adults, one child and a cat were assisted out of the adjacent unit by Firefighters making the primary search. The fire was under control within 30 minutes but crews remained on scene for approximately four hours to make sure the fire was completely out. It should be noted that both Duplex units did not have a working smoke detector on either the basement or the first floor and the Spokane Fire Dept installed the required smoke detectors prior to leaving. The 4 occupants in the adjacent unit next to the fire were able to move back into their home with no fire or smoke damage. The male occupant in the fire affected unit will be residing with friends until major structural repair,Chimney repair, smoke damage and electrical issues can be rectified.

Cause:
The Special Investigation Unit has determined that the fire was caused by a defective chimney with a wood stove insert. The Spokane Fire Department would like to remind citizens to have their chimney inspected and cleaned each year prior to use. These occupants were very fortunate to escape this fire especially without working smoke detectors.

Damage:
There is structural damage from the fire in the basement and first floor, along with smoke damage throughout the affected unit. The Chimney is in need of replacement or major repair. The adjacent duplex unit was protected from any fire or smoke damage

# Firefighters Responding: 24

Dollar Loss: $30,000.00

End Of Release
For more information on this release please call (509) 625-7002



Friday, December 23, 2011

Facebook Page

Hi everybody. Our new Facebook page is up and running. You can check it out here. We had to transition to a page because we had too many friends (I guess there really is such a thing).

If you have some pictures you would like to share on the page, please send them my way. If you have a short description, we can include that too.

Hope you have a great Christmas, John

Fire Press Release

Attic Fire South Battalion

Incident #: 2011051582
Date of Incident: 12/22/2011
Issuing Officer: Battalion Chief Dan Brown

Narrative:
On the afternoon of 12-22-11 at 4:04 pm the Spokane Fire department responded to a reported structure fire at 2007 East 6th. Several calls were received at City Fire Dispatch reporting the fire. Assistant Chief Schaeffer was first on scene at 4:09 followed by several fire apparatus and command personnel. It was reported that smoke was showing from the roof and attic space of a one story wood frame house. Crews were assigned to search and locate the fire. Fire was located in the attic and attack leads were put into place along with roof ventilation. Extensive overhaul was done inside to aid in extinguishment of the fire. The main body of the fire was knocked down in about 15 minute's complete overhaul and extinguishment was completed in about 2 hours. Damage was confined to the roof , attic space and ceilings. One Firefighter was injured and released from duty with a shoulder sprain, no other injuries were reported. 21 firefighters 3 command officers reported to this incident. The cause of this fire is under investigation.

Cause:
Under investigation

Damage:
Damage to the roof attic space and ceillings, with some water damage.

# Firefighters Responding: 21

Dollar Loss: $35000.00

End Of Release
For more information on this release please call (509) 625-7002

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Fire Press Release

Kitchen Fire in North Side Home

Incident #: 2011051496
Date of Incident: 12/21/2011
Issuing Officer: Bob Green/Battalion Chief

Narrative:
The Spokane City Fire Dept. dispatched fire fighting crews and their apparatus Wednesday night, Dec. 21st, to 1010 E. Decatur at 23:12 hrs. to a reported structure fire. The first arriving fire company reported smoke issuing from the front door of a 1.5 story wood/frame dwelling. As other fire apparatus began arriving on scene, assignments were being made by the Incident Commander. Those assignments included advancing a charged hose line into the structure, horizontal and possible vertical ventilation of the building, searching for any victims on all the floors, securing a water supply, a back-up hose line to protect the firefighters who would be making initial entry into the building, 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. The combined efforts of the fire fighting crews at this fire kept the flames confined to the 1st floor kitchen area. Four Engines, one Ladder Truck, one Heavy Rescue Rig, and two Command Vehicles delivered 21 firefighters to the scene of this fire. The fire damage was limited to the 1st floor kitchen area of the structure, although there was smoke damage to most other areas of the first floor. The occupants of the home were able to safely exit their home at the time of the fire, however they will not be able to stay in the house because of the significant interior damage and because the utilities, gas and electricity, have been disconnected. There were no reports of any injuries to firefighters at the scene or to the residents of the building. A member of the Spokane City Fire Dept's Special Investigation Unit was at the fire and he began his investigation as soon as conditions inside the structure allowed him to safely enter.

Cause:
Under Investigation.

Damage:
Kitchen area of the first floor, smoke damage throughout the structure, ventilation holes cut into the roof.

# Firefighters Responding: 21

Dollar Loss: $20,000

End Of Release
For more information on this release please call (509) 625-7002

Monday, December 19, 2011

Retirement Parties This Month!


Looking for another holiday in between Christmas and New Years? How about two? Please come out and wish our brothers the best in their well-deserved retirement.

Dan Brown - 12/26/2011 begins at 1330 hours at Station 1
Doug Bacon - 12/27/2011 begins at 1300 until 1700 at Station 9