Gonzaga Area Apartment Fire

Incident #: 2014003923
Date of Incident: 01/23/2014
Issuing Officer: BC Dave Haworth

Narrative: On Thursday, January 23, 2014, at approx 12:00 AM, the Spokane Fire Department dispatched 4 engines, 2 ladder companies, 1 heavy rescue, and 2 battalion chiefs to a reported structure fire at 902 E Boone, the Hamilton House Apartments. The caller stated there was a fire in the laundry room. First arriving Station 2, located in the Logan Neighborhood, reported light smoke on the first floor of the building. Upon further investigation they found an advanced fire in both the laundry room and a nearby storage room. At this point the smoke began to intensify so the structure had to be evacuated. Several crews attacked the fire while others evacuated the four story structure.  STA was contacted and they dispatched two buses to the scene to shelter the evacuated occupants.  The fire was quickly brought under control and all occupants were evacuated without incident. All occupants were able to return to their homes after approximately 3 hours. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians.
Cause: The fire has been labeled suspicious and is under investigation by the Special Investigative Unit of the Spokane Fire Department
Damage: The laundry and storage room sustained heavy damage with moderate damage to a nearby office.
# Firefighters Responding: 25
Dollar Loss: $ 20000
Other Agencies Responding:
Avista