Thursday, October 22, 2009

Fire burns State Street Flats again

On Thursday October 22, 2009 at 08:51 AM, 8 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 5 Engines, 1 Heavy Rescue and 2-Senior Ladders under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Dan Brown, Bruce Moline and Acting BC Haworth responded to a reported building fire at 19 West Pacific.

When the first companies arrived from Station 1, they reported heavy smoke and flames showing from the three story (includes basement) vacant building. The building had previously been involved in a tragic fire in 2006 which resulted in multiple injuries and the structure being boarded up and secured from access. The unreinforced masonry construction combined with the smoke/fire conditions and building's proximity to other occupied structures led to the alarm being upgraded to a second alarm in anticipation of a need for additional resources. Ladder Companies were utilized to gain access to the boarded up vacant structure while personnel from Engine Companies assembled to prepare for an offensive attack on the fire. The additional alarm added a Pumper-Ladder and two engines which allowed the 38 Firefighters to locate and knock down the fire and control the incident within 45-minutes. One civilian was treated by SFD Paramedics for injuries received while fleeing the fire, however was not transported. No firefighters were injured as a result of the incident.


PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of this incident was determined to be incendiary and two adults (Sypher, Steven 26 Year-old male and Garland, Windy 23 year-old female) have been arrested and charged by SFD Investigators with Arson 2nd Degree.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The building was not inhabitable after the fire in 2006 and that continues to be the case. Damage is significant and access is prohibited due to the concern for public safety.
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 38
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

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