Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Batt. Chief Craig Cornelius
DATE OF INCIDENT: 1/4/2008
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 713 East 9th Ave
CITY: Spokane
STATE: Wa
ZIP: 99201

NARRATIVE: ON the morning of January 4, 2008 the City of Spokane's fire department responded 7 fire apparatus and 2 command personnel to a reported fire located at 713 East 9th Avenue. Neighbors reported fire showing on the entire backside of the home.

Within 5 minutes of receiving the call, Engine 7 arrived on the scene under the command of Lt. Kelly Smith. Lt Smith reported that the home's occupant was safely out, and then, along with her crew advanced a hose line into the burning home to extinguish the fire. (During this initial attack fire was burning in the basement, first floor and attic areas.) Additional hose lines were used to extinguish fire in these areas. The main body of fire was extinguished inside 10 minutes.

There were no injuries to the homeowner or his dog. The home owner was alerted to the fast spreading fire by the home's smoke detector. The home sustained heavy fire damage to the backside, basement and attic areas, but many of the interior furnishings were salvaged by the firefighters.





PROBABLE CAUSE: This fire appears to have been caused by an electrical heating appliance that was located in a "Chicken Coop". This coop was adjacent to the backside of the home. The fire spread from this location into the home. (None of the chickens were injured.)

DAMAGE EXTENT: Extensive structual damage to siding and attic areas.
DOLLAR LOSS: 50,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 27
MUTUAL AID: None Given