Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Craig Cornelius, Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/3/2007
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 617 E. 3rd Ave.
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201

NARRATIVE: On June 3, 2007 the Spokane Fire Communications Center received several calls into their center with reports of a commercial building on fire at 3rd and Hatch. Callers stated that the building's roof was heavily involved in fire. The center dispatched 8 fire apparatus to this location a little after 04:13 hours. Fire crews reported heavy smoke and flames visible shortly after leaving the station. The first fire engine and ladder from Station 1 were on the scene within 5 minutes from the initial call. Officers on the arriving engines reported heavy fire involvement in what appeared to be a vacant structure set back from the NW corner at 3rd and Hatch. The fire crews quickly attacked the fire while later arriving crews set up to protect the surrounding exposures.

The fire's twenty foot flames were encroaching upon the high power electrical lines running directly behind the building. These power lines are energized from an adjacent "Electrical Sub Station" and supply a good deal of the power for the downtown area. The fire crew's quick actions prevented fire damage to the electrical lines.

The vacant building sustained heavy fire damage and will be a total loss. There was no fire damage to the surrounding structures. No injuries were reported from firefighters or civilians. The fire cause for this incident is still under investigation.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Still under investigation
DAMAGE EXTENT: Total loss to vacant structure
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 28
MUTUAL AID: None Given