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