Sunday, August 05, 2007

Fire Press Release - a twofer...

Structure Fire



8/3/2007

2824 East Everett

Dan Brown, Battalion Chief



Narrative :


On Friday, August 3, 2007 at 12:28 PM, 7 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 3 Engines, 1 Senior Ladder, 1 Pumper-Ladder and 1 Heavy Rescue under the direction of Battalion Chief Brown responded to a reported apartment fire at 2824 East Everett. The first company arrived within four-minutes to discover heavy smoke showing from the third floor of a 3-story, 8-unit wood-frame apartment complex. The first arriving engine (E-15) aggressively attacked the quickly spreading fire while Ladder 2 forcibly entered, ventilated and searched apartments from ground ladders. Additional companies were assigned to attack the fire from multiple sides and floors as it spread quickly through the complex as well as perform other fireground tasks. Due to the number of residents that were evacuating from ladders and stairways and the quickly deteriorating conditions; the Incident Commander ordered an additional engine and Ladder company which supplemented abovementioned resources. Additional staff on the alarm also included Training Staff, Assistant Fire Marshal, Deputy Chief, Training Chief and Assistant Chief. Firefighters were able to confine the blaze to the third floor and roof, with only minor damage to units below on the second and first floors. The fire was under control in approximately 60 minutes. There were no civilians injured in the incident, however one firefighter was transported to Deaconess for heat exhaustion while three others were treated on-scene for injuries received from falling debris during the fire.




Cause :


Initial reports from witnesses had indicated that a suspect fled the scene with an accelerant and lighter. The subject mentioned remains a person of interest, however the physical investigation was just beginning at the time of this release and no official cause has been determined yet. Investigators will be working on this incident for most likely the remainder of the afternoon.




Damage :


A majority of the roof, attic and third floor has been destroyed. Multiple vehicles that were parked also received varying levels of damage. The structural integrity of the building is compromised and is not able to be re-occupied. The SFD and Red Cross are helping temporarily relocate the residents and account for their personal belongings.











Structure Fire


8/3/2007

106 South Cedar

Brian Schaeffer, Assistant Chief



Narrative :

On Friday, August 3, 2007 at 13:48 PM, 8 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 4 Engines, 1 Senior Ladder, 1 Pumper-Ladder under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Inman and Hanna responded to a reported apartment fire at 106 South Cedar. The first company arrived within four-minutes to discover smoke showing from a third floor unit a 4-story, ordinary constructed apartment building. The first arriving station (Engine 4 and Ladder 4) also reported that the alarm was sounding in the building and occupants were evacuating. First arriving companies were utilized to ventilate and extinguish the fire on the third floor quickly, however anytime fires occur above the main floor they require more resources due to the additional personnel needed to move equipment and hose lines up flights of stairs. Companies were able to ventilate the building and assist residents to the exterior without incident. The fire was contained to the room of origin and there were no injuries to civilians or firefighters.



Cause :

The cause was an electrical malfunction of a window air conditioner.



Damage :

Damage is limited to one unit and is moderate

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