Thursday, October 02, 2008

Fire Press Release

SSUING OFFICER: Bruce Moline/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 10/1/2008
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 4621 N. Post
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99205

NARRATIVE: On October 1st, 2008 at 10:30 P.M. the Spokane Fire Department responded 4 engine companies, a pumper ladder company, 1 ladder company, 1 rescue unit and 2 battalion chiefs to a house fire located at 4621 N. Post. Upon arrival, fire crews found a wood frame structure that had fire coming out the front windows. Pumper Ladder 13's crew, the first to arrive, immediately attacked the fire while also asking for backup and a crew to ventilate the roof. It was soon determined that the adult occupant, who had been sleeping, had exited safely from the home. As the firefighters worked their way through the home to attack the fire, they soon found that the fire was mainly involving the front living room and kitchen areas. The fire was also rapidly extending vertically towards the attic. Through their fast and aggressive actions, the firefighters were able to knock down the fire and confine it to the front portion of the home and at the same time, keep it out of the attic area. The majority of the home was saved, however smoke damage was extensive throughout the building. A total of 24 firefighters responded to this call and it took them 15 minutes to effectively contain the fire. Fire crews will remain at this incident through the night conducting final extinguishment and making sure all of the "hotspots" are completely out. The Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit was called in to investigate the fire cause. At this time, the incident remains under investigation. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians. The home suffered extensive smoke damage and also sustained heavy fire damage to the living room and kitchen areas.



PROBABLE CAUSE: Suspicious. Under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Heavy fire damage to the living room and kitchen. Smoke damage throughout the structure.
DOLLAR LOSS: 150,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 24
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Bruce Moline/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 9/28/2008
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 558 E. Longfellow
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99207

NARRATIVE: On September 28th, 2008 at 12:54 A.M. the Spokane Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire at 558 E. Longfellow. Fire crews found a one story single family dwelling that was well involved in fire upon arrival. A quick attack using hose lines coupled with a rapid search of the interior of the home was conducted. Nobody was found in the home. The homeowner was located and contact was made to make sure everyone was accounted for. The fire extended vertically into the attic space and fire crews had to access this roof with ladders to begin the long and arduous process of locating and extinguishing what fire remained underneath it. This involved cutting the roof apart with chainsaws, circular saws, axes and pike poles. This task took approximately 3 hours to complete. Because the roof was weakened by the fire, care was taken to make sure the fire crews were in a safe position at all times. Avista assisted in controlling and securing the natural gas and electricity to the property. The house and contents sustained major fire, water and smoke damage. The cause of this fire is currently under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit. A total of 20 firefighters responded on this alarm with 3 engine companies, 1 pumper ladder company, 1 ladder company, a rescue unit and 2 battalion chiefs. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters. Fire crews remained at this location throughout the night working on final extinguishment and cleanup.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Heavy fire, water and smoke damage to the structure and contents.
DOLLAR LOSS: 150,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 20
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE

Friday, September 26, 2008

Fire Press Release

SSUING OFFICER: Mike Inman / Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 9/25/2008
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1115 W. Nebraska
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99205

NARRATIVE: At 2:53 pm September 25, 2008 the Spokane Fire Department responded 4 Engines, 1 Ladder, 1 Rescue unit and 2 Battalion Chiefs to a single family house at 1115 W. Nebraska. The call was for a clothes dryer fire. Upon arrival of the first crew it was found that heavy smoke was issuing from all openings on the first floor of the structure. Red Cross was requested and was needed for four adults and 5 children that lived at the house. With an aggressive attack on the fire the first crew going in and backed up by a separate crew made their way into the basement where the fire was found. There were no injuries to Civilians or Firefighters. 4 cats and 1 dog were rescued and given oxygen. The fire was investigated and it appears the fire started in the clothes dryer vent and spread to surrounding combustibles in the basement. The fire had spread to floor joists but damage was kept to a minimum. Most damage was caused by the heavy smoke conditions in the structure.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Debris in and around an electric clothes dryer vent.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Heavy smoke damage throughout the house with fire damage to the area of the clothes dryer and structural members in the area of the dryer.
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 20
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Battalion Chief Dan Brown
DATE OF INCIDENT: 9/24/2008
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 2630 North Cuba
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99207

NARRATIVE: On the morning of September 24th at 5:27am the City of Spokane Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 2630 North Cuba. Engine Company 8 reported flames and smoke coming from the basement. Attack leads were advanced into the interior and a search was conducted. Fire crews entered the fully involved basement and started extinguishment, pined up smoke and heat presented a challenge for crews. The main body of fie was knocked down in about 15minuts after arrival and overhaul continued for another hour. After the search it was confirmed that everyone was out. The residents were awaken by sounds of smoke detectors and escaped to the outside. The Spokane Fire Department can not stress enough the importance of working smoke detectors. Red Cross was responded to assist the three adults that were displaced. No injuries were reported. The basement and contents suffered extreme damage from the fire and heat, the rest of the house had smoke and heat damage. This fire is under investigation.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Under investigation
DAMAGE EXTENT: Base and contents, smoke and heat throughout.
DOLLAR LOSS: 60,000.00
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 20
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE

Greek DJ continues broadcast while studio catches fire...



I suppose this guy would not call the fire department even if he had a headache, was feeling weak, had the sniffles or needed help getting his pants on in the morning.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Hydrants turned off to fight terrorism...




Privatization of a neighborhood's water supply and mindless fear of "terrorists" help burn down a house! Click here to see the video directly.

Friday, September 05, 2008

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Craig Cornelius / Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 9/5/2008
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 5906 N. Whitehouse
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201

NARRATIVE: In the early morning hours of September 5th, 2008, the Spokane Fire Department dispatched 6 fire apparatus to a reported house fire located at 5906 N. Whitehouse St. The responding fire companies were dispatched at 0256 hours. Engine 13, under the direction of Lt. Sherryl Hart was first on the scene and reported heavy fire involvement in the one story home. She, along with her crew started an aggressive fire attack within 5 minutes of the initial dispatch. Additional assignments, including searching the home for victims were given to the other fire crews as they arrived. The coordinated efforts of the fire crews brought the fire under control within 10 minutes after arrival.

There were no injuries to the firefighters or to the one occupant that lives at the home. The heavy fire involvement extensively damaged the interior of the home. Red Cross representatives responded and are assisting the one displaced occupant. The fire cause is still under investigation at this time.


PROBABLE CAUSE: Still under investigation
DAMAGE EXTENT: Extensive fire damage throughout home.
DOLLAR LOSS: 70,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 25
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Fire Press Release

SSUING OFFICER: Bob Green/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 9/2/2008
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 2801 N Napa
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99208

NARRATIVE: The Spokane City Fire Dept. dispatched firefighting crews and fire apparatus to 2801 N. Napa at 9:52 PM, Tuesday, Sept. 2nd, on a reported warehouse fire. A large column of black smoke was visible on the horizon as fire rigs were nearing the location, as the first responding rigs got closer they could see a large amount of fire coming through the roof of a metal-clad wood/framed warehouse. Within minutes a 2nd alarm response was requested and additional fire crews and equipment were added to the response. When crews arrived on scene the fire had already heavily involved much of the structure. As fire crews worked to force entry into the locked warehouse, other crews began laying water supply lines and fire hoses to be able to be in position to advance those hose leads inside the building once entry could be made. While this work by the crews was going on outside, the fire inside continued to grow in size and intensity. As doors were finally forced or cut to provide entry into the structure the decision was made to not risk injury, or possibly more serious risks to the firefighters, by attacking this fire from the outside. Large volume water delivery devices were brought into play from the perimeter of the building and the fire was gradually knocked down. Damage to the warehouse and its contents was considerable. With the help of Spokane Police Officers who were at the scene and a helpful citizen with a pick-up truck, a number of fiberglass boats stored up against the fire building were removed from danger to areas of safety away from the building. There were no reports of injuries to any of the firefighters at the scene or to any civilians. Ten pieces of fire fighting apparatus and two Command vehicles delivered 40 firefighters to the scene of this large fire. Fire investigators from the Spokane Fire Dept.'s Special Investigation Unit were at the fire as it burned during the night and will be on scene today as soon as the sun rises to begin their task of determining a fire cause. Fire watch companies were at the scene during the night to insure that the fire was completely extinguished and to provide security for the scene as well as for the contents of the heavily damaged warehouse.



PROBABLE CAUSE: This fire is curently under investigation by the Special Investigation Unit of the Spokane City Fire Dept.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Very heavy damage to the building and to the contents of the two businesses located in the structure. Complete damage estimates have yet to be determined.
DOLLAR LOSS: 250,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 40
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE

GENERAL FIRE CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY - SEPTEMBER 18th





Featuring food (David's pizza), door prizes, vendors and some new futuristic apparatus. Starts at 10 am and goes until 3 PM. Sounds like a good time!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Fire Press Release

0ISSUING OFFICER: Craig Cornelius / Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 8/28/2008
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: N 2220 Astor St.
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201

NARRATIVE: This morning, August 28, 2008 at approximately 0414 hours, the Spokane Fire Department dispatched 3 Engines, 2 Ladders and 1 Heavy Rescue apparatus to a reported fire at N 2220 Astor St. The first arriving apparatus were from Fire Station One under the direction of Captain Tim Foster. He reported that the home had fire in the kitchen ceiling and that the residents had been evacuated.

Engine Ones' crew under the direction of Act. Lieutenant Jason Archibald advanced a pre-connected hose line into the home and quickly knocked down the fire. The responding firefighters brought the fire under control within minutes. Fire crews stayed on the scene for approximately 1 hour checking for fire extension and cleaning up.

There were no injuries sustained at this fire and the primary damage was confined to the kitchen and the attic area above it. At this time the fire cause has not been determined, but early indicators are leaning towards an electrical cause.

The Spokane Fire Department would like to stress the importance of having smoke detectors in every home that are properly working and checked on a regular basis. Smoke detectors save lives!



PROBABLE CAUSE: Fire Cause still under investiagtion.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Kitchen and Attic
DOLLAR LOSS: 5000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 23
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Spokefest!

There was a plug for this in a city email that went out. It looks like a lot of fun. I know that more and more are riding to work, and this might be a fun thing to do when us A-shifters get off on the morning of September 7th.

This is the first year, so you can get in on the ground floor of what, hopefully, will become a Spokane tradition. It costs $10 to register, or $25 for a family of three. Additional family members cost $5.
























The future?

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Fire Press Release

SSUING OFFICER: Ken Kirsch/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 8/24/2008
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 2515 E. Trent
CITY: Spokane
STATE: Wa
ZIP:

NARRATIVE: On 08/24/08, at approximately 1503 hrs units of the City of Spokane Fire Department responded to 2515 E. Trent upon report of a structure fire. E-1 was initially dispatched to a vehicle fire at Trent and Napa and found a yellow school type bus heavily involved in fire, with the fire impinging on an adjacent metal clad building. E-1 upgraded the incident to a full alarm to bring additional fire department resources to the scene. An additional 7 fire trucks with 20 firefighters then responded to the incident. As the additional resources arrived on scene, a second pre-connected hose-line was advanced to fight the bus fire. At the same time other crews forced entry into the metal clad building, located the area in which fire had entered the building, and extinguished the fire with hose-lines. The fire was brought under control in about 15 minutes with crews remaining on scene for another 2 hrs to conduct overhaul operations to assure fire extinguishment.

A total of nine fire trucks with 27 firefighters responded to this blaze. No injuries were reported to either firefighters or civilians.

PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The bus involved in this incident was a total loss suffering fire, smoke, and water damage. Fire did enter the metal clad building, causing minor damage to the northeast portion of the building.
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 27
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Kevin's Ugly Duck Posting Plucked...



























Kevin was contacted by Chief Schaeffer who requested its removal. Kevin left the decision to me. I have removed it.

I think all of you have had a chance to read it. If not, either Kevin or I can forward it to you.

I don't know what the story is. But, according to their radio spots - "The Ugly Duck is a liquidator."

That's enough warning for me, and might explain the muffled quacking I heard outside my window last night.

I hope you all are "down" with this editorial decision.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Bruce Moline/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 8/18/2008
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 2302 W. Gardner
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201

NARRATIVE: On August 18th, 2008 at 3:09 P.M. the Spokane Fire Department responded to a garage fire located at 2302 W. Gardner. Fire crews found a grass fire in an alley that was also extending to the interior of a detached wood frame garage. A quick "knock down" was achieved in approximately 15 minutes. Although there was another exposure that was close to the garage, it was spared due to the quick actions of the firefighters. Damage was confined to the garage and some of the contents inside. A total of 3 engine companies, 2 ladder companies, a rescue unit and 2 battalion chiefs responded on this incident. The fire is under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit. Crews remained on the scene conducting final extinguishment and assisting with the investigation. The residents in the dwelling next door were not at home during the fire but did arrive later while fire crews were still on the scene. The fire was called in by an alert passerby.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Under investigation at this time by the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The garage and contents received extensive heat damage.
DOLLAR LOSS: 20,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 19
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE

Friday, August 08, 2008

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Craig Cornelius / Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 8/8/2008
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 2428 W 14th
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201

NARRATIVE: On August 7th 2008, at approximately 0700 hours the Spokane Fire Department dispatched 3 Engines, 2 Ladders, 1 Heavy Rescue apparatus and 2 Chief Officers to a reported home fire at 2428 W. 14th Ave. The first two arriving apparatus were Engine 4 and Ladder 4. Lieutenants Jay Holder and Ryan Reding reported smoke showing upon their arrival. They quickly directed their crews to search the home and to start extinguishment of the fire. Due to Station 4's quick actions the fire that had extended from the bathroom area into the attic was rapidly knocked down. The elderly couple that lived in the home were medically checked out. No injuries occurred at this fire and the fire damage was confined to the bathroom and the attic area above. The fire is still being investigated, but early indicators are pointing towards a faulty fan unit in the bathroom ceiling

PROBABLE CAUSE: Still under investigation.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Fire damage to the back bathroom and attic.
DOLLAR LOSS: 5000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 24
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEAS

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Communities starting to crack down on frivolous 9-1-1 calls!

Recently we had a third-party cell phone call for a lady slumped over the wheel at a bank drive-through. Turns out she was waiting for the bank to open, and she wasn't paying attention to her posture. Ah scoliosis, the silent killer.

Looks like we're not the only ones who get 9-1-1 calls simply because it's free to call on a cell phone. Other places are realizing what it's costing them and doing something about it.

I would really like the opportunity to call the cell phone callers back. Not to be a jerk, but just to let them know that their reporting a lady waiting at a bank / a bag of leaves on a lawn / a water sprinkler/ a flag flying in the breeze/ lawn art/ a walking drunk man / a billboard advertisement/ a guy napping/ a baby upchucking/ a woman breastfeeding/ a stuck pair of suspenders/ circus clowns eating lunch/ not a chupacabra/ fog/ a skunk - set this diesel-exhaust-spewing 9-1-1 machine in motion. I wonder if some people do this because they think it is funny.

Maybe there should be a law that if you call 9-1-1, you have to stay on-scene until we get there. Maybe we should charge 25 cents per call - a small price to pay if it truly is an emergency. The money could go into our fuel account.

The silliness has to stop. And it looks like other places are figuring out ways to do just that.

If there are truly terrorists at work trying to bankrupt our cities and our nation, I would think that using a cell phone to dial 9-1-1 for frivolous reasons is an effective way to accomplish their mission of economic havoc. Perhaps there is some homeland security money we can procure to stop them.

Saturday, August 02, 2008

Fire Press Release

SSUING OFFICER: Battalion Chief Steve Sabo
DATE OF INCIDENT: 8/2/2008
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1313 N. Ruby St.
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99202

NARRATIVE: At 0630 this morning, Saturday August 2, 2008, the Spokane Fire Department responded to a reported fire in Sonic restaurant at 1313 N. Ruby. The first crews on scene reported a fire behind the fryer unit in the kitchen. The fire was quickly knocked down, and there was no fire extension to the structure. Damage was confined to the fryer unit, with minor smoke damage throughout the restaurant. Health officials were notified of the situation and are expected to conduct an inspection of the restaurant prior to the business resuming operation.

PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of the fire was the fryer unit. Fire investigators have yet to determine whether the unit malfunctioned or whether there may have been maintenance problems.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Damage to the structure and contents is estimated to be $12,000.
DOLLAR LOSS: 12000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 29
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE