Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Mike Inman / Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 11/12/2007
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 4004 E. 29th Ave.
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99223

NARRATIVE: At 1028 pm November 12, 2007 the Spokane Fire Department dispatched 3 Engines, 1 Ladder Truck, 1 Pumper Ladder, 1 Rescue Unit and 2 Battalion Chiefs to a reported house fire at 4004 E. 29th Ave. in Spokane Washington. Upon arrival Engine 14 reported heavy smoke from the structure with the occupants outside on the sidewalk. A second report indicated that heavy fire was coming out of the back of the house. A quick attack by the first two fire apparatus on scene knocked the main body of the fire down with two 1 ¾" attack lines and additional crews did a search of the house to make sure everybody had gotten out. As more crews arrived a thorough overhaul was initiated looking for extension of the fire into the structure. No extensions were found and the fire was reported to be out within 30 minutes. The fire crews assisted the tenants by retrieving personal items and medications prior to allowing them back in. Gas and electrical utilities to the house were shut off for safety reasons. The house, a rental, suffered significant damage to the kitchen with heavy heat and smoke damage to the rest of the houses main floor. Due to the quick thinking of the residents, one adult and one child, they closed their bedroom doors when exiting the house and suffered no smoke or heat damage to their rooms or their contents. Heat in the hallway was so intense that the smoke detector on the ceiling was destroyed and laying on the floor. The residents were awakened by a loud pop and discovered the fire in the kitchen area. There were no civilian or Firefighter injuries associated with the fire. A fire investigator was called to determine the origin of the fire and Red Cross was called to assist the displaced residents. The only known casualty of the fire was a family pet. It is important to remember to keep doors in the house shut to slow down or stop the spread of the fire and make sure smoke detectors are working. Get yourself out of the structure and wait for the Fire Department, it is very hazardous to reenter a burning structure or delay getting out to save contents.
PROBABLE CAUSE: Under investigation
DAMAGE EXTENT: Significant damage to the kitchen with heavy smoke and heat damage throughout the rest of the main floor. Both bedrooms and the bathroom sustained little or no damage due the closing of the doors prior to exiting the house.
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 21
MUTUAL AID: None Given