Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Battalion Chief Dan Brown
DATE OF INCIDENT: 7/11/2007
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 8424 North Nevada st.
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99207

NARRATIVE: On the morning of July11 2007 at 03:48 Hrs the City of Spokane Fire Department responded 9 fire apparatus to a reported apartment fire in the Cedar Springs Apartment complex at 8424 North Nevada St. Fire Engine 18 responding from the 200 block of East Lincoln RD. reported a large column of black smoke showing. Upon arrival Engine 18 reported a fully involved apartment on the second floor of a 6 unit apartment complex. Fire attack was initiated using 2.1/2 and 13/4 inch pre-connected hose lines. A search was ordered and roof ventilation was started. A second alarm was requested which brought 3 more apparatus and overhead command to the scene. The main body of the fire was knocked down in about 20 minutes overhaul and final extinguishment took about 2 hours. The apartment of fire origin was a total loss and adjoining apartments suffered some water, smoke and overhaul damage. Red Cross assisted the tenants that were displaced by the fire. The firefighters that responded to this early morning alarm did an excellent job in confining this fire to the apartment on the second floor. No injuries were reported. The cause of this fire was a cigarette being placed in a flower pot on the deck igniting wood mulch in the pot and spreading fire to the exterior. Fire extended to a barbeque and set off a one pound propane tank causing an explosion. The fire department would like to remind everyone to be careful of open flame of any kind and use the proper containers to dispose of such items.
A total of 34 Firefighters and 6 additional command officers answered this alarm.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Cigarette in Flower pot
DAMAGE EXTENT: Total losss of the fire apartment and damage to adjoining apartments.
DOLLAR LOSS: 100,000.00
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 34
MUTUAL AID: None Given