Fire Press Release Twofer

South Battalion Residence Fire

Incident #: 2012055387
Date of Incident: 12/21/2012
Issuing Officer: AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
On Friday, December 21, 2012 at 9:33PM, 7 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 4 Engines, 2 Senior Ladders and 1 Heavy Rescue under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Thompson and Cornelius responded to a residential building fire in the South Perry District at 720 South Laura.

While responding, firefighters were notified by a neighbor reported flames being visible from the two-story home. The first company arrived within 5-minutes and found heavy pressurized smoke emanating from all floors and an intense fire inside the residence. The incident was upgraded to a “working fire” by the first Chief Officer which added an additional ladder company and other off-duty resources. Ladder companies had to vertically ventilate the roof and force entry into multiple sides of the building which allowed engine companies to access to the interior where they successfully located and extinguished the fire. All companies assigned to the initial stages of the fire completed a rapid, well-coordinated search of the premises for any victims and found nothing. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters on this incident.

Cause:
The cause remains under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department's Special Investigation Unit.

Damage:
There is heat and heavy smoke damage throughout the basement and first floor. The house in its current state is not inhabitable; however the aggressive efforts by the firefighters limited potentially catastrophic damage to only the area surrounding the origin.

# Firefighters Responding: 28

Other Agencies Responding:
Spokane Police Department,

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

Fire at County Jail Facility

Incident #: 2012055358
Date of Incident: 12/21/2012
Issuing Officer: C. Cornelius / Battalion Chief

Narrative:
On Friday December 21, 2012 at 5:30PM, 8 Companies of Spokane Firefighters; 2 Senior Ladders, 5 Engines and 1 Heavy Rescue responded to a basement fire in the Spokane County Jail. The first arriving fire companies at this high rise facility were met by jail personnel who reported a fire in a large industrial clothes dryer in the basement. Jail personnel activated and followed their emergency action plans which continued to provide security to the facility while allowing firefighters to gain access to the basement fire area. Firefighters from Station 4 extinguished and confined the fire to the industrial clothes dryer. Other fire companies verified that the fire had been confined to the one area and worked with jail personnel to ventilate the smoke from the enclosed structure. All floors were ventilated and monitored for carbon monoxide before leaving. Quick action and proper implementation of the Jail’s emergency plans resulted in a positive outcome. There were no injuries at this incident.

Cause:
Under Investigation: Possible equipment malfuction.

Damage:
Industrial dryer.

# Firefighters Responding: 27

Dollar Loss: $ 5000

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