Fire Press Release

House Fire On West End

Incident #: 2013015358
Date of Incident: 04/12/2013
Issuing Officer: Bruce Moline/Battalion Chief

Narrative:On Friday April 12^th, 2013 at 1:28 A.M. The Spokane Fire Department responded to a house fire located at 524 S. Audubon in the Government Way/Sunset Blvd area of the city. Engine and Ladder 4 from their neighborhood fire station location of Riverside and Maple were the first crews to arrive and found a one and a half story wood frame dwelling that was fully involved with heavy fire. A smaller storage shed converted into a living space was next to the house and was also on fire. A defensive strategy was planned due to the heavy fire involvement and weakening structure. Because of this, crews were limited in their tactics and had to maintain an exterior position and fight the fire from the outside. Hose lines from the ground position staffed with numerous firefighters and an aerial master stream from Ladder 4 were used in the containment of the fire. The storage shed sustained only exterior damage and the entire interior was spared due to the efforts of the exposure crews. It took 1 hour and 25 minutes to knock down the fire mostly due to the large void areas in the walls and roof of the dwelling. Fire crews maintained their defensive position through the night until daylight dealing with flare-ups and spot fires. The Special Investigation Unit of the Spokane Fire Department is currently investigating the fire. There were no reported injuries.

Cause:Under investigation at this time by the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit.

Damage:Dwelling was totally destroyed. Storage shed sustained exterior damage.

# Firefighters Responding: 25

Dollar Loss: $ 200,000

Other Agencies Responding:
Spokane Police Department, Avista Company (Electrical and Gas)

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

Fire Press Release

Hillyard Neighborhood Fire

Incident #: 2013014632
Date of Incident: 04/07/2013
Issuing Officer: Battalion Chief Bill Donahoe

Narrative:On Sunday April 7^th, 2013 at 10:10 AM, 6 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 1 Senior Ladder, 1 Heavy Rescue, 4 Engines under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Donahoe and Moline responded to a structure fire at 2204 E. Heroy in Northeast Spokane.

Firefighters from Station 15 arrived in 3 minutes to find a single family dwelling with smoke showing out of both gable vents of the attic. The Responding Chief at this time upgraded the incident to a working fire adding and additional Senior Ladder, AMR Ambulance and an AMR supervisor to the scene. Companies were assigned to attack the fire, secure a water supply, ventilate and provide a search for possible occupants. The home proved to be unoccupied at the time of the incident. The fire was located by a thermal imaging camera in ceiling above the bathroom and was declared knocked down within 20 minutes. Companies remained on scene for approximately 2 hours opening up surrounding walls and ceiling to remove any smoldering insulation. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries reported.

Cause: The Special Investigation Unit has determined that the fire started in the attic above the bathroom and is electrical in nature.

Damage: The bathroom walls and ceiling along with part of a master bedroom wall and ceiling were either damaged by fire or damaged in the process of checking for extension of the fire and overhauling the smoldering insulation. The occupant’s belongings were covered with salvage covers and were not damaged. The power to the home has been disconnected by Avista. The family of four has been relocated and is staying with other family members until structural and electrical repairs can be made to the home.

# Firefighters Responding: 22

Dollar Loss: $ 20,000.00

Other Agencies Responding:
Avista

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