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