Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Battalion Chief Steve Sabo
DATE OF INCIDENT: 2/23/2007
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 6463 N. Perry St.
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP:

NARRATIVE: At 10:08 PM on Thursday, February 22nd, the Spokane Fire Department was dispatched to a reported fire in a commercial building at 6463 N. Perry. Crews arrived to find a single story 30' X 350' building with heavy smoke coming from one of eight businesses occupying the building. There were no occupants in the building at that hour. Fire Department crews forced entry into the fire unit and the adjoining units to advance hoses to extinguish the fire and check for any extension. The fire was quickly extinguished, and crews determined that there was no extension beyond the unit of origin, which was occupied by River City Painting Inc. The fire appeared to start in a company van which was parked inside the building. The van was heavily damaged, but the fire was extinguished before it could extend to another van nearby. There was heavy smoke damage in that business, but the fire did not damage the structure itself. This incident was upgraded to a "working fire" based on the heavy smoke visible on arrival, and the size and occupancy of the building. Four engines, two ladders, one rescue, two battalion chiefs, and an investigator responded to this fire.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of the fire is under investigation.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The fire heavily damaged one van, and caused significant smoke damage to the affected business. There was also minor damage to several doors, windows, and the roof due to mitigation efforts.
DOLLAR LOSS: 40,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 25
MUTUAL AID: None Given

Jim Parker asks for your prayers...

Gonzo has received word from Jim that his health is failing him, and he asks that you remember him, and his wife Louise, in your prayers. If you would like to read Jim's letter, email Gonzo and he will pass it on to you.

Thanks, John

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Ken Kirsch/Battatlion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 2/21/2007
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1824 N. Smith
CITY: spokane
STATE: Wa
ZIP:

NARRATIVE: On 02/20/07, at approximately 1942 hrs. units of the City of Spokane Fire Department responded to 1824 N. Smith upon report of a structure fire. First arriving fire units found heavy smoke coming from a one story, wood-frame, single family residence. The main body of fire was in the basement of the residence, although fire did extend to the first floor directly above. Heat and smoke were trapped in the basement as few openings existed that could be used to ventilated these toxic products. Firefighters extended pre-connected hose-lines to both the basement and first floors of the building to extinguish the fire. At the same time crews were also assigned to the roof of the house in case ventilation of that area was necessary. The fire was brought under control within approximately 20 minutes, with overhaul of the structure continuing for anther 90 minutes or more.

A total of 25 firefighters, on 10 trucks fought this blaze. No injuries to either firefighters or civilians were reported.

PROBABLE CAUSE: At this time the fire is under investigation. Investigators should finish their work early this morning. More information will follow.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Extensive fire and smoke damage is evident throughout the structure. The main body of fire was in the basement, but the fire did extend to the room on the first flood directly above. Smoke damage was also evident throughout the structure.
DOLLAR LOSS: 90,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 25
MUTUAL AID: None Given

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Joel Fielder/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 2/16/2007
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 2613 West Gardner
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP:

NARRATIVE: Today, February 16, 2007, the Spokane Fire Department responded at approximately 4:07 PM to 2613 West Gardner. The first crew on-scene reported smoke and fire showing at the upper floor of a 1-1/2-story, wood framed apartment building. Fire fighters aggressively attacked the fire from the front of the structure while additional fire crews completed search and rescue, roof ventilation and salvage and overhaul. The fire was brought under control within 30 minutes and there were no reported injuries to the occupants or firefighters. Eight fire companies with 26 firefighters responded to this fire and were on scene for approximately 2.5 hours. Four adults and one child were displaced by the fire and are being assisted by the Spokane Chapter of the American Red Cross.

The Spokane Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to state the importance of installing properly working smoke detectors through out your home. The occupants of the apartment on the upper floor did not have smoke detectors and narrowly escaped the fire by climbing out a second floor window.

PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of the fire is under investigation by Fire Investigator Doug Dodson.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Fire damage was confined to the upper floor apartment with smoke damage through out the rest of the structure.
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE:
MUTUAL AID: None Given

Firefighter Stairclimb!

The Firefighter Stairclimb in Seattle is on March 4th. SFD members will be climbing 69 floors in full bunker gear "on air." This event is a fundraiser to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. If you would like to be a sponsor, or donate, click on the link above or visit www.active.com/donate/ff07/spokanefire.

Kerry calls for investigation of coverup regarding failed PASS Devices in FF deaths...

Komen Eastern Washington Race for the Cure®

From Mike Miller's wife Ruthann:

Komen Eastern Washington Race for the Cure®

Race Date: April 29, 2007 

Dear Friends and Family,

I recently accepted the challenge to raise funds to support the Komen Eastern Washington Race for the Cure® on April 29, 2007 in the fight against breast cancer. One in seven women will be stricken with breast cancer in her lifetime and the more we raise, the more the Eastern Washington Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation can give back to fund vital breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs in our own community and support the national search for a cure.

Click here to visit my personal page and pledge your support.

Please join me in the fight by pledging in support of my participation in the Race or contributing generously to the Komen Eastern Washington Race for the Cure®.  Your tax-deductible contribution will fund innovative outreach and awareness programs for medically underserved communities in Komen Eastern Washington Race for the Cure® and national breast cancer research. It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause - you can make a donation online by simply clicking on the link at the bottom of this message. If you would prefer, you can also send your tax-deductible contribution to the address listed below. Whatever you can give will help! I truly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.

Thank you so much for your time and support in the fight against breast cancer! Every step counts!

Sincerely,

Ruthann Miller

To sponsor my participation online, click the title above:

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Battalion Chief Steve Sabo
DATE OF INCIDENT: 2/3/2007
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 3808 E. 21st Ave.
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99203

NARRATIVE: This morning, February 3rd, at 0407, the Spokane Fire Department responded to a reported house fire at 3808 E. 21st Ave. The first engine on-scene reported that the two adult occupants were outside, and that there was heavy smoke coming from the basement. The house was a single family split entry structure. The occupants were awakened by their 9 week-old puppy, and escaped as heat and smoke were filling the house. In their haste to escape, the puppy got left behind. Fire crews discovered the puppy during their search and brought it out, scared and smoky, but otherwise uninjured. Crews advanced a hose lead to the basement as other crews performed a secondary victim search, and opened walls upstairs above the fire to check for fire extension. The main body of fire was knocked down within 15 minutes, but crews continued to expose and extinguish fire in the upstairs walls for an additional 30 minutes.
PROBABLE CAUSE: Cause of the fire is still under investigation, but is most likely accidental, originating in the basement utility/furnace room.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Damage to the house was extensive. There was heavy fire damage in a basement utility room, along with heavy smoke and heat damage throughout the structure. The damage is estimated to be $30,000.
DOLLAR LOSS: 30000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 22
MUTUAL AID: None Given

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: BC Craig Cornelius
DATE OF INCIDENT: 2/1/2007
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 2515 S. Lacey Ct
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201

NARRATIVE: 0n February 1, 2007; at 8:25 pm the Spokane Fire Department responded 7 fire apparatus and 23 firefighters to 2515 S Lacey Ct. The Fire Dispatch Center received a report of a kitchen grease fire in a single family home. Engine 14 arrived on the scene within 4 minutes of dispatch. Crews from Station 14 and Station 11 immediately attacked the fire with pre-connected hose lines. The fire was knocked down within 5 minutes. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters and the home owners were not displaced. The Fire Department kept 3 apparatus on the scene for close to an hour in order to make sure that the fire that had extended into the attic area was completely out.
PROBABLE CAUSE: Kitchen grease fire.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Kitchen wall and attic area above stove.
DOLLAR LOSS: 15000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 23
MUTUAL AID: None Given

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Battalion Chief Bob Green
DATE OF INCIDENT: 1/27/2007
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 2227 W. Sharp
CITY: Spokane
STATE: Wa
ZIP: 99201

NARRATIVE: Fire fighting crews of the Spokane City Fire Dept. responded to 2227 W Sharp at 3:35 on the morning of Saturday, Jan. 27th for a reported house on fire. A plume of smoke was visible in the morning sky as fire apparatus were approaching the scene. The first crew arrived at the address to find a number of large stored items burning freely in a storage area outside of and to the rear of the residence. That first arriving fire crew rapidly laid an attack lead and were able to get the fire knocked down very quickly, their fast work prevented the fire from doing any serious damage to the interior of the residence and from extending to the neighboring house which was separated from the fire house by only a foot or two. Two wheel chair bound females, a mother and her daughter, were assisted from the house by other fire fighters as the fire was being extinguished. There were no reported injuries to any fire fighters or civilians at the scene. The elderly mother was placed into a waiting ambulance and evaluated by paramedics at the scene. She was later cleared to be able to return to her home after the toxic smoke had been removed. An alert neighbor saw the fire and called 9-1-1 which helped in the rapid response to the scene by fire fighters. Six fire apparatus responded to this incident along with 2 command vehicles. The fire is considered to be suspicious at this time and is being carefully investigated by Fire Dept. officials.
PROBABLE CAUSE: This fire is considered to be suspicious at this time and is being investigated by Fire Dept. Investigators.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Multiple items that were being stored outside of the residence were destroyed or heavily damaged. A window in the house was broken by the heat of the fire and that heat along with the smoke did some minor damage to the interior of the house.
DOLLAR LOSS: 5,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 23
MUTUAL AID: None Given

As seen on the N. Division Eatsa Pizza billboard...

Spokane Firefighter job announcement and link to application...

Click on the link to take you to the city's website. Under the FF job description information is a link to the application.

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Joel Fielder/ Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 1/23/2007
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1314 East North Avenue
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP:

NARRATIVE: Today, January 23, 2007, the Spokane Fire Department responded at approximately 9:10 AM to 1314 East North Avenue. The first crew on-scene reported fire at the back of a 1-story, wood framed duplex extending from a window at the south west corner of the lower apartment. Fire fighters advanced a pre-connected hose line through the apartment to the back bedroom and quickly extinguished the fire. Additional fire crews completed search and rescue, ventilation and salvage and overhaul. The fire was brought under control within 20 minutes and there were no reported injuries to the occupants or firefighters. Nine fire companies with 29 firefighters responded to this fire and were on scene for approximately 2 hours. Two families, consisting of 3 adults and 6 children were displaced by the fire and are being assisted by the Spokane Chapter of the American Red Cross.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of the fire is under investigation by Fire Investigator Lt. Greg McClatchey and Captain Kevin Smathers and they may be contacted at 625-7053.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Fire damage was confined to the lower apartment with smoke and heat damage through out the rest of the structure
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 29
MUTUAL AID: None Given

Fire Press Release

SSUING OFFICER: Battalion Chief Dan Brown
DATE OF INCIDENT: 1/22/2007
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 110 South Madison
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201

NARRATIVE: At 12:59 A/M on January the 22, 2007, the City of Spokane Fire Department responded to the Otis Hotel at 110 South Madison for a reported room fire. Station 4 arrived on the scene at 1:02 P/M to discover smoke showing from the 4th floor window. The fire was up graded to a working fire. Water stand pipes were charged and fire attack leads were hooked up to the stand pipe and advanced to the fire room. A search was conducted and the building was evacuated. The fire was extinguished in about ten minutes after crews arrived on the 4th floor. Smoke filled the halls on the 4th floor and had to be removed before the residence was allowed to return. The fire did not get out of the room of origin.
No injuries were reported due to the fire, although the Fire Department Medics attended to separate medical issues on scene. Damage was confined to the room, bed, and bedding. This fire was investigated and was determined to be smoker caused. Thirty Two Firefighters responded along with two command personnel.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Smoker
DAMAGE EXTENT: Room oforigin, Bed , bedding.
DOLLAR LOSS: 3,500.00
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 34
MUTUAL AID: None Given

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Battalion Chief Bob Green
DATE OF INCIDENT: 1/17/2007
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 3402 E Garnet Ave.
CITY: Spokane
STATE: Wa
ZIP: 99207

NARRATIVE: The Spokane City Fire Dept. dispatched fire crews to 3402 E Garnet Ave. at 7:27 the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 17th, 2007. Fire crews responding to the scene reported seeing arching electrical wires visible in the night sky from blocks away as they were rapidly approaching the area. Once on scene, the first officer to arrive reported that a split-level 2 story wood/frame dwelling was involved with fire at the rear of the house. The residence had a fiberglass paneled roof over the wooden deck which extended off the 2nd level of the house at the rear through sliders from the kitchen. That deck and the roof over it were heavily involved with fire as the first hose leads were stretched to begin fire extinguishment. While these hose leads were being laid the propane tank for the barbecue, which had been started by the homeowners to grill their dinner, was acting like a blow torch blasting through the fiberglass roof panels and causing fire to be pushed into the attic through the metal vents under the eaves of the house. Fire crews were able to get most of the fire involving the deck and its roof knocked down fairly quickly, however the process of getting to and extinguishing the fire in the attic space over the kitchen took considerable more time and involved a lot of hard work on the part of the fire fighters. The damage to the house was confined to the deck and its roof and the kitchen/dining room area inside sustained considerable damage. Some of the structural members of the trussed roof received severe damage as well. There were no reports of any injuries neither to the fire fighters at the scene nor to the four occupants who were at home at the time of the fire. The electrical power to the house had to be shut off, leaving no way to heat the house until repairs to the damaged electrical circuits can be made. The current cold weather in our area is compounding the problems for the homeowners due to the possibility of water pipes inside the house freezing. The Spokane City Fire Dept. would like to ask all citizens to be extra vigilant of the causes for home fires during this cold snap and with everyone's help and awareness we hope to keep the incidents of fires in our homes to a minimum. Six fire apparatus responded to this fire along with 2 command vehicles and 21 fire fighters. The cause of the fire was determined to be a mechanical failure of either the propane tank or the tubing from the propane tank to the barbecue
PROBABLE CAUSE: Mechanical failure of the propane tank or the tubing carrying the propane from the tank to the barbecue.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The rear deck and its roof, the kitchen/dining area inside the home. Smoke damage throughout the interior of the house.
DOLLAR LOSS: 15,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 21
MUTUAL AID: None Given

PDFs of Leaked Matrix Report...

Fire Department section starts on PDF 8, page 7.

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: BC Craig Cornelius
DATE OF INCIDENT: 1/15/2007
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 347 W. Central
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99206

NARRATIVE: This morning, January 15th 2006, at 0400 hours, the Spokane Fire Department received a 911 call for a fire in a home located at 347 W. Central Ave. 23 Fire Fighters responded on 6 apparatus to fight this fire. Arriving crews found a single family residence with fire inside the attic and front living room. The first arriving Officer from St13 made sure that everyone was out of the home and her crew attacked the fire. This fire was brought under control within minutes. The fire consumed portions of the attic and front living room. Smoke damage occurred throughout the home. Fire Fighters were on the scene for about 2 hours digging out the remainder of the fire.

There were no injuries at this incident. The family and their pets should be back in their home in a relatively short amount of time.


PROBABLE CAUSE: Preliminary evidence at this incident suggests the fire was caused by the electrical wiring in the attic. The official pronouncement will be made by investigators after all fire evidence has been reviewed.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Fire damaged the attic and front living room areas of the home.
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 23
MUTUAL AID: None Given

Fire Press Release

Hey, Friday January 12th there was a house fire.
It came in at 2307. The address was 2011 N. Howard.
It was confined to the front of the living room.
It probably only took 5-15 gallons of water to put out.
The folks living there were able to get out OK.
A lot of firefighters were there, and many trucks, as well.
The reason the fire started is under investigation.
Firefighters who first arrived saw a front window filled with many flames and much smoke.
I don't know what the damage estimate was, nor how many people were displaced.

There was no SFD administration press release for this, as of 1452 on 13 January. I know some of you readers are keeping track of fires in the city, so here you go.

If you work on a fire that doesn't get reported on this blog, let me know the specifics and I'll get it on here.

The BCs have been doing a great job and a great service giving us these releases through Chief Schaeffer's office. So, this is probably a technical glitch. When I get the real deal, I will replace this posting with it.

John

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Ken Kirsch Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 1/12/2007
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 118 S Napa
CITY: Spokane
STATE: Wa
ZIP:

NARRATIVE: On 01/11/07 at approximately 2349 hrs units of the City of Spokane Fire Department responded to 118 S Napa upon report of a structure fire. First arriving units found a one story, wood-frame, single family residence with a small amount of fire burning on the exterior. Crews advanced pre-connected hose-lines to the residence to extinguish the fire, while at the same time other fire department crews were assigned to both the roof and interior of the structure to check for fire extension. Firefighters found that the fire had extended to both the walls and the attic of the structure. After extensive overhaul of those areas the fire was extinguished. The fire was out within approximately 30 minutes with firefighters remaining on scene another hour and a half to overhaul the structure.

A total of 28 firefighters on 11 trucks fought this blaze. No injuries were reported to either firefighters or civilians.

PROBABLE CAUSE: The investigation into the cause of the fire will continue later today. The fire is considered suspicious at this time. A final determination of the fire cause will not be made until the investigation is completed most likely in the next few days.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Damage to the structure included fire damage to the west end of the residence and to the attic area. Smoke damage was evident throughout the structure. The Red Cross was requested to the scene to assist the tenants as they could not stay inhabit the residence after the fire.
DOLLAR LOSS: 30000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 28
MUTUAL AID: None Given

Credit Union Annual Meeting - January 27th!

The annual meeting is January 27th, 2007 at the Red Lion - Inn at the Park. Cocktail hour is 6:00 pm with dinner around 7:15-7:30. After the retirement presentations there will be live music and dancing with "Hot Rod Deluxe".

Tickets are on sale now at the credit union. $15 Members and $25 for guests.