Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Bob Green/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 8/13/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 3724 N Cook
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99207

NARRATIVE: The Spokane City Fire Dept. dispatched fire apparatus and fire fighting crews to 3724 N Cook at 2:15 in the afternoon of Thursday, Aug 13th, for a reported structure fire. Assistant Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer was first on the scene and reported heavy black smoke issuing from a ground floor apartment in a 2 story wood/frame multi- building apartment complex. Under the direction of Chief Schaeffer the arriving crews of fire fighters were given assignments that, when carried out, led to a rapid extinguishment of this fire and their aggressive tactics kept the fire contained to the room of origin. All tenants of this particular building in the complex had successfully exited their apartments before fire fighters arrived on scene. As always the fire fighters did a thorough search of the entire building to insure that everyone was safely outside. There were no reports of any injuries to the fire fighters at the scene or to any of the escaping civilians. The fire damage was confined to the apartment of origin with the majority of the fire damage contained to the room of origin. Smoke damage was also contained to the apartment of origin because the fire fighters were able to get to the seat of the fire very quickly. The involved apartment will be untenable until repairs can be made and it was learned that the displaced tenant will be staying with friends until such time as the apartment can be repaired. A cause for this fire is still being investigated by the Spokane Fire Dept.'s Special Investigation Unit.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Under investigation
DAMAGE EXTENT: Heavy fire damage to one room that was being used as an office, smoke damage to most of the remainder of the apartment along with some minor water damage.
DOLLAR LOSS: 20,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 23
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