East Side Residential Fire

Incident #: 2014026676
Date of Incident: 05/31/2014
Issuing Officer: Bob Green/Battalion Chief
Narrative: The Spokane City Fire Dept. dispatched firefighting crews and their apparatus to 212 N. Magnolia at 10:47 hrs on Saturday morning, May 31^st,  for a reported structure fire at that address.  Engine #7, from the near-by Lower East Side Neighborhood fire station, arrived on scene and reported by radio that there was heavy black smoke being pushed out from the eaves on all sides of the single story wood/frame dwelling and they reported further that they were going to attempt to enter the structure with a pre-connected hose lead and locate the source of the smoke. The fire was quickly up-graded to a working fire which added additional fire apparatus to the incident. As additional resources were arriving on scene they were given assignments that included roof ventilation, search and rescue, a back-up hose lead to protect the crew from Engine #7, who were now inside and finding rapidly changing fire conditions in the structure. A second fire attack lead was ordered to assist in the fire fight, a water supply was established, a Safety Officer was assigned, and exposure protection assignments were made.  Additionally a Rapid Intervention Team was assigned in case any fire fighters became lost or injured inside the structure. The Incident Commander requested additional resources to the fire scene because the crews were taking a beating due to the warm ambient outside temperature and the labor intensive work they were having to do to get at the fire that by now had completely taken possession of the attic space of the structure. The local chapter of the Red Cross was requested to assist the tenants with temporary lodging. After a couple of hours of persistent and aggressive fire fighting the fire fighters were able to get the fire knocked down and to a point in the incident where some of the resources could be released to return to their Stations. A fire watch was set up to maintain a Fire Dept presence at the scene for much of the afternoon. Two City fire fighters were injured in the fire fight, one of the two was transported  by AMR Ambulance to a local Medical Center for evaluation and treatment. The fire damage to the structure and especially to the roof was extensive; nearly all of the roof and it’s supporting structure were removed and the decision on the building’s future will have to be decided by the owners. The cause of this fire is being investigated by the Spokane City Fire Dept.’s Special Investigation Unit. In all, eleven engines, three senior ladders, one heavy rescue truck, and two Command Vehicles were used at this stubborn fire and 50 fire fighters were rotated into the incident.



 
Cause: The cause of this fire is being investigated by the Spokane City Fire Dept.’s Special Investigation Unit.
Damage: The roof and supporting structural members of the roof were either burnt off or cut off by firefighters. The living areas of the home sustained heavy smoke and water damage as did the contents inside of the home.
# Firefighters Responding: 50
Dollar Loss: $ 80,000
Other Agencies Responding:
Spokane Police Department, AMR Ambulance