Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Bob Green/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 10/25/2008
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 2208 E Longfellow
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99207

NARRATIVE: The Spokane City Fire Dept. responded fire apparatus and firefighting crews to a report of a structure fire at 2208 E. Longfellow at 7:13 PM on Friday, Oct. 24th. The call for assistance was made by a neighbor who told Fire Dispatchers that there was smoke coming from the eaves of the structure and the caller was very concerned that the occupants of the home were still inside. The first arriving fire crew reported heavy smoke issuing from the eaves and other openings in the building, neighbors again voiced their concerns to the just arriving fire crews that they believed the occupants were still inside the house. Initial assignments were made by the Incident Commander on scene and those assignments were primarily focused on search and rescue priorities for occupants coupled with an aggressive interior attack at the seat of the fire. A primary search was completed and a secondary search followed, a third search was also ordered due to the concern voiced by neighbors at the scene. To the relief of firefighters and concerned neighbors it was determined that the two occupants of the home were not in the building. The seat of the fire was located in the basement and was quickly confined and extinguished. Although the fire was confined to the basement thermal and smoke damage was present in every room on the main floor and that damage was considerable. Structurally the house did not suffer serious damage however the interior finishes and the contents did sustain heavy damage. Seven pieces of fire apparatus and two Command Vehicles delivered 26 firefighters to the scene; there were no reports of any injuries to the firefighters or to any civilians. Investigators from the Fire Dept.'s Special Investigation Unit were dispatched to the fire scene and are currently undertaking the laborious process of determining a cause for this early evening house fire.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Under Investigation at this time.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Considerable fire damage to the basement, heavy smoke and thermal damage on the main floor. Contents in all areas of the building will need to be replaced.
DOLLAR LOSS: 50,000.00
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 26
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