Fire Press Release

North Side House Fire

Incident #: 2013043180
Date of Incident: 09/17/2013
Issuing Officer: Bob Green/ Battalion Chief

Narrative:
The Spokane City Fire Dept. dispatched firefighting crews and their apparatus to 5616 N. “G” St. at 01:49 hrs on Tuesday morning, September 17th, to a reported structure fire at that address. Initially Engine #16, from the neighborhood Fire Station located by Joe Albi Football Stadium, was dispatched alone to investigate the situation. Once that fire crew arrived on scene they reported heavy smoke coming from inside the one story wood/frame dwelling and immediately requested a full alarm to respond to the scene. That request would add three additional engines, one senior ladder, one light rescue rig, and two Battalion Chiefs to the incident. Engine #16 reported by radio that they were going to enter the residence and attempt an interior attack on the fire that was burning in the structure’s basement. As they began their descent into the basement they reported that the basement was fully charged with smoke and that they were searching for the seat of the fire. The fire was located in a storage room in the basement and they were able to get the fire knocked down fairly rapidly with the pre-connected hose line that they had taken inside with them. As the other fire crews began arriving on scene they were assigned to various tasks which included a back-up hose line to protect the crew already inside attacking the fire, water supply, and another engine company was ordered to horizontally vent the building by opening windows. The ladder crew was ordered to do a primary and a secondary search of the structure to ensure that everyone was out of the building, a Scene Safety Officer was assigned, and the mandated RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) was established for any needed rescue of a lost or down fire fighter. Fortunately the two residents of the home had been awakened by the smoke detectors and the whole house alarm system and were able to safely exit the house before the Fire Dept.’s arrival. Crews remained on scene for nearly three hours overhauling the scene and searching for any signs of hidden fire. There were no reports of injuries to any of the fire fighters at the scene. The building sustained heavy fire and severe heat damage to most of the basement and the main floor suffered smoke damage in all rooms. The cause of this fire is being investigated by the Spokane City Fire Dept.’s Special Investigation Unit. In total four engines, one senior ladder, one light rescue truck, and two Command Vehicles delivered 20 fire fighters to this incident.

Cause:
Under investigation by members of the Spokane Fire Dept.'s Special Investigation Unit.

Damage:
Heavy fire and heat damage to most of the basement area, smoke damage to the main floor of the house.

# Firefighters Responding: 20

Dollar Loss: $ 40000

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