Fire Press Release

Automatic fire sprinklers contain blaze

Incident #: 2012016269
Date of Incident: 4/21/2012
Issuing Officer: Battalion Chief Steve Sabo

Narrative:
At 1550 hours on Saturday, April 21, 2012, the Spokane Fire Department was dispatched to an automatic fire alarm activation at St. Margret's Shelter, 101 E. Hartson Ave. The first crew arrived within four minutes and reported smoke showing from second floor windows of the two-story women and children's shelter, and requested a full structure fire response. The first crew immediately initiated a primary search of the structure to confirm reports that all occupants had exited the building. As additional crews arrived on-scene, fire attack hose leads were stretched to the fire area, and ventilation procedures initiated to remove the pent-up smoke. Additionally, crews evaluated all occupants who were evacuated from the building, for any injuries. One adult female was treated for minor smoke inhalation and was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Medical Center for further evaluation. The fire was located in a closet in a second floor apartment-style room. Automatic fire sprinklers, activated by the fire, kept it from spreading to the contents of the apartment. Final extinguishment was completed by the fire crews. Although the fire damage was confined to the contents of the closet, there was considerable water damage from the activated sprinkler heads, to the first and second floors of the front end of the building. Due to the water damage, and until the sprinkler and alarm system can be returned to service, all occupants are being relocated to other accommodations, either through Catholic Charities or the Red Cross. Also assisting at this incident were supervisory and ambulance crews from American Medical Response and Spokane Police Department patrol officers.

Cause:
Investigators from the Spokane Fire Department's Special Investigation Unit determined the cause of the fire to be children playing with a cigarette lighter.

Damage:
There was minor fire and smoke damage to the fire apartment and considerable water damage to the first and second floors of the front end of the building.

# Firefighters Responding: 28

Dollar Loss: $100,000

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