Fire Press Release

Retirement Community Fire

Incident #: 2013057036
Date of Incident: 12/07/2013
Issuing Officer: AC Schaeffer

Narrative:On Saturday, December 7, 2013 at 07:36 AM, an automatic fire alarm was received from 2929 South Waterford, Touchmark on South Hill.  As the incident was being dispatched, the Communications Center received information that smoke was visible on the first and second floors.  The incident was upgraded to a full alarm and added 4 Engines, 2 Ladders and a Heavy Rescue under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Donahoe and Moline. The first fire company arrived within minutes from nearby Station 11 and reported smoke showing from the eves and second and third floors visible from the Pittsburg side.

First arriving firefighters sprinted into action by raising aerial ladders to assist those potentially in need and deployed handlines to aggressively attack the flames while performing a primary search. Additional firefighters were immediately summoned including all three of the CIty's Ladders, to assist battling the blaze as the incident was officially upgraded to a working fire.

The 499-unit apartment complex was in compliance with Fire Codes including hard wired smoke alarms, smoke-activated magnetic fire doors and automatic sprinklers in building area, all of which assisted in saving lives and preventing the spread of fire and smoke. This serves as a good reminder for all to never block open fire doors as this allows smoke and fire to travel and impede occupants from escaping in an emergency.

One unit was involved in fire in the wall and floor areas and smoke was present throughout the floors.  Over 40 firefighters extinguished the blaze in just 35-minutes and there were no injuries. There were no security doors, window bars or obvious non-fire factors to impede the residents from exiting all of the floors.

Firefighters are remaining on scene for several hours, assisting the residents and building managers. 

Cause:The cause is under investigation and facility’s management has done a wonderful job at assisting the residents with temporary accommodations.

Damage:The damage is limited to a wall and flooring on floor 1 and 2. Companies are still on-scene and residents will be able to reoccupy within the hour.

# Firefighters Responding: 40

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

Fire Press Release

North Battalion House Fire

Incident #: 2013056850
Date of Incident: 12/06/2013
Issuing Officer: BC Dave Haworth

Narrative:
On Friday, December 6, at approx 8:30 AM, the Spokane Fire Department responded 2 ladders, 5 engines, 1 heavy rescue, and 2 battalion chiefs to a reported structure fire at 1503 E Rich. Neighbors had called in the fire and said they could see smoke and flames coming from the single story family residence. SE15, located in the Hillyard neighborhood, arrived and reported heavy smoke coming from the approx 1500 sq ft residence. After ensuring the occupants were out of the structure, SE15 advanced a preconnected hose to attack the fire, which was located in the basement. Later arriving crews were assigned to secure a water supply, provide openings to remove the smoke from the structure, and advance additional hoses. The fire was extinguished within 20 minutes and crews spent several hours removing burned materials and checking for hot spots. The tenents are being assisted by the Red Cross as their home is uninhabitable. Traffic control was provided SPD units who blocked nearby intersections.

Cause:
The cause of the fire in under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit.

Damage:
The basement was heavily damage with heat and smoke damage throughout the rest of the structure.

# Firefighters Responding: 26

Dollar Loss: $ 50000

Other Agencies Responding:
AMR, Avista, SPD, Red Cross

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


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Local 29 Santa Sleigh Coming Your Way!

From Patrick Moore:

Well it’s that time of year again!  As I write the snow is falling, Thanksgiving is firmly behind us, and the Local 29 Firefighters of Spokane are heading out to share some Christmas Cheer!  Of course, I am talking about the Local 29 Spokane Firefighters Union’s Santa Sleigh.  

On any given night, a group of Local 29 firefighters check out the sleigh and head out to see as many kids as possible within a given Spokane neighborhood.  The music is blaring and candy canes are flying; almost as fast as the smiles!  Most crews try and meet by 5:30pm or so and get on the road early enough to see the kiddos before they head off to dreamland.  

The firefighters realize that for many kids, this is their only chance to see Santa.  The malls may be too expensive for many parents or the time required to go wait in long lines may be more than they can offer.  It is a very big deal, young or old, to see Santa!  And while the teenagers may have learned the secret behind the curtain I can assure you the magic is still very much alive!  Parents are overjoyed at a chance to shoot a photo of the kids with Santa! We attempt to stop (when and where safe) and hand out candy canes to every child we see.  Many kids and parents may wave from the window at first but if we pause they will frequently grab a coat and head out to visit.  

Again, right there in the street with Santa might be that kid’s only chance to tell Santa what he wants for Christmas.  We try and take the time to listen, not making any promises of course, remind them to be good for their parents, and ask them to have mom and dad help them write a letter and mail it to Santa so he doesn’t forget their big wish on Christmas night!  And since some kids catch on that “you aren’t the real Santa” we try to be straight with them. “Actually you are right!  I am not the real Santa, I am an elf.  Lots of Santa’s Elves make toys back at the North Pole and many others get out into the community and help Santa by finding out what all the good boys and girls want for Christmas.  St. Nicholas is very busy at this time of year getting ready and he needs us elves to help him out!” 

So, if you hear a little Christmas music blaring louder than your typical teen driver it just might be Santa Claus and his elves from your City of Spokane Firefighters Union!  And don’t forget to be nice, because Santa’s driving around checking on his Naughty and Nice list and you don’t want a lump of coal on Christmas morning do you?

Merry Christmas!

Two Fire Press Releases

South Battalion House Fire

Incident #: 2013056154
Date of Incident: 12/02/2013
Issuing Officer: BC Dave Haworth

Narrative:
On Monday, December 02, 2013, shortly before 4:00 AM, the Spokane Fire Department responded 5 engines, 2 ladders, 1 heavy rescue, and 2 battalion chiefs to a reported structure fire at 717 N Stone. The fire was first reported by a newspaper carrier and was confirmed by SPD officers who were patrolling in the area. The first arriving SFD unit, SE7, reported fire coming from the roof area of a wood constructed one story residence. Engine 7 advanced a preconnect hose to attack the fire while other crews were assigned to gain access, search the structure, connect a hydrant supply line, and advance additional hoses. It was determined that the structure was being used as an office for a business and not as a residence. The fire was extinguished within 60 minutes and crews remained on-scene for several hours extinguishing hot spots. There were no injuries to civilians and one firefighter was transported to SHMC for a knee injury.

Cause:
The fire is under investigation by SFD investigators.

Damage:
The structure is a total loss

# Firefighters Responding: 26

Dollar Loss: $ $65000

Other Agencies Responding:
SPD, Avista

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




Structure Fire

Incident #: 2013056161
Date of Incident: 12/02/2013
Issuing Officer: Joel Fielder/Battalion Chief

Narrative:
At approximately 5:20 AM this morning, December 2, 2013 Spokane City Fire crews were dispatched to 2510 North Denver on a reported structure fire. Fire crews responding to this location reported smoke and fire showing from several blocks away. The first crew on scene reported heavy fire showing from the east end of a duplex at the car port with fire extending into the living space to the west. They attacked the fire in the car-port on the east end of the building and protected an exposure building to the south. A second fire attack crew aggressively attacked the fire from the interior confining the fire to the one duplex. Additional fire crews on scene completed search, vertical ventilation and salvage and overhaul. The fire was brought under control within 20 minutes. There were no injuries to any civilians or firefighters and fire crews remained on scene for several hours completing overhaul and assisting in the investigation process. Avista gas and electric crews arrived on scene and removed hazards as needed and Spokane Police assisted with traffic control. The 2-adult occupants of the duplex are currently being assisted by our local chapter of the American Red Cross.

Cause:
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Spokane Fire Departments Special Investigation Unit.

Damage:
There was heavy fire damage to the kitchen, attic and carport of the east duplex with smoke damage throughout the structure.

# Firefighters Responding: 23

Dollar Loss: $ 45,000

Other Agencies Responding:
Spokane Police Department, Avista, Red Cross

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


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