Three Fire Press Releases

South Battalion Single Family Residence Fire

Incident #: 2011046654
Date of Incident: 11/16/2011
Issuing Officer: AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
On Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at 04:25 AM, 6 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 2 Senior Ladders, 3 Engines and 1 Heavy Rescue under the direction of BC Moline and BC Green responded to a residential structure fire at 454 West 28th Avenue on Spokane's South Hill. Spokane Firefighters arrived within 5 minutes to find smoke showing from the rear of the single story house. The first arriving Chief confirmed that the residents were accounted for and subsequently upgraded the incident to include an additional engine for assistance during the extreme low temperatures. Engine companies immediately went to work to locate, confine and extinguish the fire; while truck companies laddered the roof and ventilated to provide a safer atmosphere for the personnel on the interior. The coordinated fire attack successfully extinguished the fire within 1-hour; however due to the fire's deep seated damage in the attic it required personnel to work for nearly three additional hours on overhaul. Despite the extreme temperatures and ice covered equipment, there were no injuries reported from either residents or firefighters.

Cause:
The cause of this early morning blaze remains under active investigation by the Spokane Fire Department's Special Investigation Unit.

Damage:
The home received moderate damage in the roof and attic areas. Residents are not able to immediately occupy due to the damage and structural concerns on from the roof.

# Firefighters Responding: 26

Dollar Loss: $30000

End Of Release
For more information on this release please call (509) 625-7002

South Battalion Civilian Fatality Structure Fire

Incident #: 2011046656
Date of Incident: 11/16/2011
Issuing Officer: AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
On Wednesday, November 16 at 04:44 AM , five companies of Spokane Firefighters, four engines and one senior ladder under the direction of Battalion Chief Green responded to a double Civilian Fatality Structure Fire at 2002 South Inland Empire Way (Iron Wheel Mobile Home Park) in Spokane's Southeast Side. Firefighters arrived quickly to discover smoke showing from the front of the manufactured home. Firefighters forced entry into the residence, entered the structure and quickly started an offensive attack on the fire while simultaneously providing ventilation of heat and smoke to assist with the search for reported persons missing within the confines of the trailer. The heat and smoke had spread thoroughly throughout the entire structure, however the companies were able to extinguish the main body of fire in just 10 minutes. During the initial phase of fire extinguishment, Firefighters searching the residence discovered two victims. One victim was removed and resuscitative measures started, however they proved unsuccessful. The second victim was not viable. Both victims were declared deceased on-scene and removed by the Medical Examiner. During fireground operations, additional Fire and EMS resources were ordered due to the need for supplementary resources to assist in the treatment of victims and management of the incident. Monetary loss from the fire is still being tabulated. The cause of this early morning blaze remains under active investigation by the Spokane Fire Department's Special Investigation Unit. The presence of smoke alarms and possible functional status and warning role has not yet been determined.

Cause:
The cause of this early morning blaze remains under active investigation by the Spokane Fire Department's Special Investigation Unit in collaboration with Spokane Police Department's Major Crimes Division. The presence of smoke alarms was confirmed, however possible functional status and warning role has not yet been determined.

Damage:
Two occupants were killed in the fire; a 72 year old male and 65 year old female. The interior of the home suffered intense heat and smoke damage. Structural stability has yet to be determined. Reoccupation of the home is not likely.

# Firefighters Responding: 17

Dollar Loss: $40000

End Of Release
For more information on this release please call (509) 625-7002



South Battalion Apartment Fire

Incident #: 2011046661
Date of Incident: 11/16/2011
Issuing Officer: AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
On Wednesday, November 15, 2011 at 06:21 AM, 7 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 2 Senior Ladders, 4 Engines and 1 Heavy Rescue under the direction of AC Schaeffer and BC Green responded to a Structure Fire reported near the intersection of 8th and South Jefferson on Spokane's South Hill. Spokane Firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy smoke and fire showing from the roof of a two-story home converted into a 3-unit apartment. The first arriving Chief upgraded the incident to include the addition of two Engines, AMR Ambulance and AMR Supervisor. Finding fire in two units and the attic space, firefighters commenced swift salvage operations to protect personal property by deploying tarps within the structure and making judicious use of firefighting hose streams on the upper floor and ceilings. Ladder 4 immediately laddered the roof and vertically ventilated the structure above the fire allowing companies inside to stretch hose leads and extinguish the deep seated fire. The well coordinated effort of firefighters confined flames to the attic and northwest corner of the second floor extinguishing the blaze in just 1 hour. There were no injuries reported from either residents or firefighters.

Cause:
The cause of this early morning blaze remains under active investigation by the Spokane Fire Department's Special Investigation Unit .

Damage:
Though loss from the fire was limited to two apartment units and some exterior area, the need to secure the building's utilities rendered areas of the home untenable. A total of three families living in the affected residential apartments were referred to the American Red Cross for interim placement assistance.

# Firefighters Responding: 19

Dollar Loss: $70000

End Of Release
For more information on this release please call (509) 625-7002