Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Bruce Moline/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/23/2008
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 2812 W. Cleveland
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99205

NARRATIVE: On June 23rd, 2008 at 2:25 P.M. the Spokane Fire Department responded 3 engine companies, 1 pumper ladder company, 1 ladder company, 1 rescue unit and 2 battalion chiefs to a house fire located at 2812 W. Cleveland. Fire crews found a one story home with smoke coming from the attic and roof. Firefighters made quick access into the home and with the use of their thermal imaging camera, they found a fire burning above the bathroom ceiling. Because this fire was in a concealed space, fire crews had to pull the ceiling down to expose the area in order to extinguish the fire. At the same time, a ladder crew was poised on the roof ready to ventilate in coordination with the fire extinguishment effort going on below. As a result of their quick action, the fire was kept small and involved a small portion of the attic. Fire damage was confined to ceiling joists, wiring and attic insulation. A total of 20 firefighters fought this fire. The homeowner, who was at work, was notified and soon arrived. The fire was called in by an alert neighbor who noticed smoke coming from the eaves and roof. The investigation revealed that this fire had been burning for a long time undetected in the attic and was caused by an electrical malfunction in wiring connected to a bathroom fan. It was found that there were working smoke detectors inside the home in the living areas, however the fire was burning above these locations, and the smoke that was generated rose vertically and stayed within the attic space and did not activate the detectors below. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Electrical malfunction involving wiring and a bathroom fan.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Fire damage to wiring, insulation and wooden structural members.
DOLLAR LOSS: 10,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 20
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE