DATE OF INCIDENT: 7/1/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1723 E. Francis Ave.
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99207
NARRATIVE: At 7:36 PM on July 1, 2009 the Spokane Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire at 1723 E. Francis. When the fire was reported there were only a couple of fill in apparatus in the North part of the city because of a wildland fire burning in the Northeast portion of Spokane at the same time. All of the North Battalion Stations had been committed to the wildland incident so the full response to the structure fire was slower than normal. The first Engine to arrive on scene found a 2 story structure approximately 100 feet by 60 feet with heavy smoke showing out of all sides of the building and fire in the rear. The first Engine Company made the decision to not make entry due to the need of a rescue team on a working fire. The first Engine Company requested ventilation and backup as well as asking the responding Battalion Chief to take command of the incident upon his arrival. The first Battalion Chief on scene found the building heavily charged with smoke and started assigning apparatus that were responding from all over the city. It was quickly determined that the structure was not safe for an aggressive interior attack or to put crews on the roof to ventilate the building. Additional apparatus were requested which necessitated mutual aid response from surrounding Fire Districts and Departments. Francis Ave. is a major arterial in the North part of Spokane and traffic control was needed as crews arrived on scene. The incident became a defensive fire almost immediately which focused the firefighting effort on protecting exposures and fighting the fire from the outside. The building is a total loss and had one commercial business in the structure. The incident will require fire crews on scene all night and the fire is currently under investigation.
PROBABLE CAUSE: Unknown at this time it is under investigation.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Total loss
DOLLAR LOSS: 750000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 37
MUTUAL AID: Fire District 8, Fire District 9
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
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