DATE OF INCIDENT: 12/2/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Information
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1120 West Sprague
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201
NARRATIVE: *** Preliminary results from the SFD's investigation of yesterday's fatality fire at 1120 West Sprague, Room 106 ***
Upon forcing entry to Room 106, Ladder 4's company searched the room under fire conditions and located the unit's sole occupant approximately eleven feet from the bedroom's entry door . The seventy year old female was lying unconscious. She was immediately removed to the exterior through the main lobby doors and turned over to a team of SFD Paramedics. Paramedics received the woman not breathing and without a pulse. The victim was treated and transported to Deaconess Hospital where she was pronounced deceased by hospital personnel soon after.
The Spokane County Medical Examiner performed an autopsy on the same day (12/01/2009) and listed "smoke inhalation" as the cause of death and ruled the death "accidental." Full toxicology results and the autopsy report are pending at the time of this report.
Based upon the information available at the time of this report from the SIU; the fire originated within the bedroom of the ground floor apartment unit 106. The fire's probable ignition source was a burning cigarette which was accidently dropped or discarded. The fire ignited materials at the floor level near and/or under the room's bed. The fire spread to a variety of materials, many of which were stored beneath, including carpet, a gel filled comfort mattress, clothing and bedding. Additionally, oxygen supply tubing was ignited allowing free flowing oxygen to become involved. The "in use" portable oxygen equipment continued to supply the fire with a continuous flow of 100% oxygen that was flowing a reported three liters per minute. This condition continued until the oxygen enriched supply tubing was burned away from the outlet of the oxygen supply apparatus.
The oxygen tube was routed underneath the bed, allowing the oxygen assisted flames to reach the underside of the bed's foam mattress. Flame melted and/or consumed a significant portion of the mattress and bedding materials. Due to the types of materials involved, a large quantity of toxic gasses and sooty black smoke deposits were generated. Moderate heat and smoke collected at the ceiling of the approximately twelve by fourteen foot room and eventually filled the space down to nearly three feet above the floor. The fire was confined to the room's contents and did not involve the concrete structure.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The fire's cause has been classified as accidental and loss is estimated at $90,000.
DAMAGE EXTENT: I would appreciate time tomorrow to discuss preventative measures for citizens to take to avoid similar tragedies. I will be available tomorrow by phone/email if media have time in their schedules.
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE:
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
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