Fire Press Releases - Two

South Battalion Fatality Fire

Incident #: 2013032624
Date of Incident: 07/22/2013
Issuing Officer: Battalion Chief Steve Sabo

Narrative:At 12:13 A.M. on Monday, July 22, 2013 the Spokane Fire Department dispatched 4 engines, 2 ladder trucks, 1 heavy rescue and 2 Battalion Chiefs to a reported mobile home fire at 2311 W. 16^th Ave. Callers reported that there may be victims trapped inside the structure. Responding crews observed a glow in the area as they approached. Engine and Ladder 4 arrived on scene in 7 minutes and reported a mobile home well involved in fire. They immediately began a coordinated search and fire attack in the structure. Search crews located two deceased victims in the main fire building. A secondary search confirmed that there were no other victims in the structure. Fire crews arriving subsequently provided structure protection to the mobile homes on either side of the fire building. The fire was knocked down within 10 minutes. A limited overhaul of the fire building was conducted, while final overhaul and extinguishment is pending investigation by members of the Spokane Fire Department’s Special Investigation Unit and the Spokane Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit. At the time of this media release the cause of this fire is undetermined and still under investigation. The identities and information about the victims is being withheld at this time until the investigation is completed and any relatives notified.

Cause:Currently under investigation.

Damage:The main fire building is a total loss. The mobile homes on either side of the main fire building sustained minor heat damage.

# Firefighters Responding: 25

Dollar Loss: $ 30,000

Other Agencies Responding:
Spokane Police Department, Avista, AMR

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

Structure Fire

Incident #: 2013032112
Date of Incident: 07/19/2013
Issuing Officer: Joel Fielder/Battalion Chief

Narrative:Today at approximately 8:20 AM fire crews from the Spokane City Fire Department were dispatched to a reported structure fire at 3418 E. Marietta. Responding  crews reported heavy smoke visible from several blocks away and had dispatch upgrade the incident to a working structure fire to add an additional ladder company to the overall response. Engine 8 from the neighboring fire station arrived on scene first and reported intense fire showing from the front window of the home and fire coming out the front door and extending to a second home to the west. They also reported that one and possibly two victims were inside the home and aggressively initiated fire attack from the front of the structure. Ladder 2 arrived on scene and was assigned to search/rescue and entered the structure from the back door starting their primary search. The lone victim of the fire was found in the front room of the home by search crews and died from his injuries received from the fire. All other responding fire crews assisted with vertical ventilation, water supply and overhaul. There were no other injuries to civilians or firefighters.

Cause:The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department, Special Investigation Unit and they have not determined a cause at the time of this media release.

Damage:Fire Damage was confined to the front living room, kitchen and attic of the home with smoke and heat damage throughout. The house to the west of the home of origin received heat damage to its vinyl siding and windows.

# Firefighters Responding: 27

Dollar Loss: $ 70,000

Other Agencies Responding:
Avista

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