East Side Duplex Fire

Photo from Spokane News

Incident #: 2014008610
Date of Incident: 02/18/2014
Issuing Officer: Craig Cornelius/Battalion Chief
Narrative: A working smoke detector alerted residents of a north side duplex to a developing garage fire today.  Residents were alerted around 11:00 AM and found a well developed fire in an attached garage.  911 was called and the Spokane Fire Department dispatched six fire apparatus and 20 firefighters to the incident.
Engine 8’s crew, under the direction of Lt. Dan Awbery arrived at the fire within 4 minutes of leaving their station.  Lt. Awbery reported a large duplex with heavy dark smoke coming from the east unit and garage area.  Engine 8’s crew immediately stretched a hose line to the fire unit to attack the spreading fire.   Upon Station 2’s arrival, Command was transferred to Ladder 2’s officer who upgraded the incident to a “working fire” and called for an addition company.   Firefighters advanced hose lines inside the structure while other firefighters were assigned to search the duplex and to verify occupant safety.  Additional incoming units were assigned to secure a hydrant water supply, and provide for ventilation.  The quick response and decisive actions by the first arriving firefighters brought this hot fire under control within 15 minutes.   Crews were on the scene for several hours removing debris and making sure the fire was extinguished.  A total of 28 firefighters participated in the extinguishment of this fire.
There were no injuries at this incident.  3 tenants of the involved fire unit have been displaced due to heavy fire and smoke damage to their unit.  The fire damage was confined to this one unit.  The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Cause: Still under inverstigation.
Damage: Heavy fire damage to the garage and half of one of the duplex units..
# Firefighters Responding: 27
Dollar Loss: $ 50,000