Fire Press Release

South Hill Residence Fire

Incident #: 2013039583
Date of Incident: 08/29/2013
Issuing Officer: AC Schaeffer

Narrative:On Thursday August 29, 2013 at 5:28 AM, 6 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 4 Engines, 1 Heavy Rescue and 1-Senior Ladders under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Green and Fielder responded to a reported residential fire at 1422 West 14th Avenue.
    
Two companies arrived simultaneously within 5 minutes 34 seconds from Station 4 and reported a two-story single family home with heavy smoke showing from the second floor of the home. The initial company upgraded the fire to a "working" incident and added additional resources to the incident to assist in the firefighting efforts. The complete effective response force was met (16 firefighters) within 7 minutes 56 seconds (the performance measure goal is 11 minutes 90% of the time).

The first arriving Ladder Company immediately fought up the stairs to the second floor to search for victims, while other companies confined the fire to the area of origin. Fortunately, it was determined that the single occupant of the residence was safe and accounted for and found near a neighbor’s house. With the assistance of additional arriving companies, it took the firefighters just 20 minutes to stretch multiple hoselines to the second floor and knock down the fire and control the incident.   Firefighters were able to contain the damage to one bedroom on the second floor, which also prevented it from spreading to the ceiling and roof areas. No civilians or firefighters were injured as a result of the incident.

Cause:The preliminary information appears to indicate that the cause was accidental and related to smoking materials.

Damage:The main area of damage was successfully isolated to a second floor bedroom with smoke damage throughout the second floor. 

# Firefighters Responding: 24

Dollar Loss: $ 20000

Other Agencies Responding:
Spokane Police Department, Red Cross

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

Fire Press Release

North Battalion Duplex Fire

Incident #: 2013039163
Date of Incident: 08/26/2013
Issuing Officer: Battalion Chief Craig Cornelius

Narrative:A night time fire damaged two Duplexes and left a city block without electrical power in the Logan Neighborhood.  Engine 2 from the North Foothills fire station was the first company to arrive at a large fire located at 2514 N Denver St.  At little before 10:00 PM, (August 26^th), 5 companies were dispatched after the Fire Department received multiple 911 calls.  Engine 2’s officer reported a large amount of fire in the back alley behind the above address.  The fire had already engulfed an attached carport, a vehicle and two separate duplexes were burning.  Engine 2’s firefighters immediately stretched a large 2 ½ inch hose line down the alley and started attacking the fire, while working to control the fire spread to adjacent units.  Engine 2’s officer also reported numerous “downed” electrical wires that had fallen after exposure to the flames.
Additional arriving apparatus and crews were immediately put to work upon their arrival.  Two companies of firefighters were assigned to search 4 duplex units as area residents reported to firefighters that people were inside.  The search group did not find any civilian victims, but did find a dog that had succumbed to smoke inhalation. Fallen electrical wires provided additional safety challenges at this incident.  Nevertheless, the fire was brought under control within 20 minutes.  Fire crews were kept on scene throughout the night and investigators will be working to determine fire cause this morning.  The local Red Cross is assisting 4 displaced residents and Avista assured us that they would work to restore electrical service to the area.

Cause:The cause of this fire is currently under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department's Special Investigation Unit.

Damage:The duplex unit addressed 2514 N. Denver St. was heavily damaged by smoke and fire. All other addresses affected by this fire received minor smoke, fire or water damage. The carport and a vehicle in the carport were a total loss.

# Firefighters Responding: 29

Dollar Loss: $ 75,000

Other Agencies Responding:
Avista, American Medical Response

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