fire press release

ISSUING OFFICER: Mike Inman / Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 10/3/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 8410 Palm Pl.
CITY: Spokane
STATE: Wa
ZIP: 99208

NARRATIVE: On October 3, 2009 at 1047 am the Spokane Fire Department responded on a call to 8410 Palm Pl. The owner said they were using a gas fire insert and could smell wood smoke. Due to the quick thinking of the resident the gas insert was turned off and the Fire Department was called. Four Engines, a Ladder truck, a Rescue unit and 2 Battalion Chiefs responded. The first Engine on scene quickly extinguished the fire in an exterior wall of the structure using a 1 ¾" hose line. Additional Fire crews checked the attic for extension, checked the interior walls using a thermal imagining camera, put down tarps to minimize the damage to the inside of the home and ventilated the smoke out of the structure. Due to the quick fire attack some of the crews were able to return in service in a short period of time. A Fire Investigator was called to try and determine the cause of the fire inside a wall in the vicinity of gas fired insert. Although this fire does not appear to be caused by improper use or poor maintenance the Spokane Fire Department would like to remind residents to check their heating devices for proper operation and maintenance as we enter the heating season.



PROBABLE CAUSE: Under investigation
DAMAGE EXTENT: 2 vertical structural supports were slightly damaged by fire. Exterior siding of the structure, some electrical wiring and interior sheet rock was damaged by either fire or fire crews opening up the structure to extinguish the fire.
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 21
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