Fire press release

Vacant structure sustains heavy fire damage.

Incident #: 2012020707
Date of Incident: 5/20/2012
Issuing Officer: Battalion Chief Steve Sabo

Narrative:
At 3:40 AM, Sunday morning, May 20th, the Spokane Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 2623 E. Sprague Ave. The first engine company on-scene reported a one-story brick and wood frame house with heavy smoke and flames on the exterior west side and extending into the attic. The incident was upgraded to a working fire, which added a second aerial ladder to the five engines, one ladder truck, one heavy rescue, and two chief officers already enroute or on-scene. Crews quickly forced entry into the structure and advanced multiple hose lines through the smoky conditions to locate and extinguish the rapidly advancing fire. In addition to fire attack and roof ventilation, crews performed a search of the building for any victims. The house, which had multiple additions, was determined to be vacant, and no victims were found. There were no injuries to firefighters at this fire. The Spokane Police Department closed Sprague Avenue and provided traffic control during the 5-hour duration of this incident.

Cause:
Investigators with the Spokane Fire Department's Special Investigation Unit completed their on-scene fire cause investigation and preliminarily determined the area of origin to be on the exterior. At this time the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Electricity and gas had been disconnected to the vacant structure.

Damage:
Damage was confined to heavy fire damage to the exterior siding and to the roof. There was also smoke, water and overhaul damage to the interior walls and ceilings.

# Firefighters Responding: 30

Dollar Loss: $40,000

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