fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Brian Schaeffer, Assistant Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 7/14/2007
INCIDENT TYPE: Multiple Alarms
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1405 East 30th Avenue Apartment B305
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99223

NARRATIVE: On Saturday, July 14, 2007 at 03:20 AM, 6 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 7 Engines, 3 Senior Ladders, 1 Pumper-Ladder and 1 Heavy Rescue under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Brown and Moline responded to a reported fire in an apartment at 1405 East 30th Avenue Apartment B305

The first company arrived within six-minutes (Station 11 was the closest station to the alarm, however they were already committed to another EMS call) to discover heavy smoke showing from the third floor apartment of a 3-story, 14-unit wood-frame apartment complex. Initial companies were utilized to simultaneously search the apartments on all three floors for victims and attack the fire. Due to the sheer number of residents, quickly escalating fire and deteriorating conditions the Incident Commander ordered a second alarm which assigned the abovementioned resources. Despite the amount of heat and head-start the fire had on first arriving companies, Firefighters were able to confine the blaze to the third floor, with only ancillary damage to units adjoining and below. The fire was under control in approximately 45 minutes. The presence of a functional smoke detector alerted other tenants of the apartment building which immediately called 911 and allowed them to escape the quick moving fire. One resident of the unit where the fire originated suffered second degree burns and was treated by SFD Paramedics and transported to Sacred Heart Hospital. A firefighter also received a musculoskeletal injury during the incident and was transported to Deaconess Hospital where he is still receiving care at the time of this release.

PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of the fire remains under active investigation, however early interviews from residents indicate that it was most likely accidental and involves a candle. Definitive information will be released as it is available.

DAMAGE EXTENT: Monetary loss to the entire apartment building is still being tabulated. The Spokane chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting all of the residents as the building does not appear safe to occupy.

DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 38
MUTUAL AID: None Given