DATE OF INCIDENT: 3/29/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 3009 E. 53rd
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99223
NARRATIVE: On Monday March 29th, 2010 at 9:39 P.M. the Spokane Fire Department responded 3 Engine Companies, 1 Ladder Company, 1 Pumper Ladder Company, a Rescue Unit and 2 Battalion Chiefs to a structure fire in an apartment complex located at 3009 E. 53rd. Upon arrival, first in fire crews found a fire located on an upper floor balcony burning and extending into the exterior wall of the apartment complex. A quick aggressive fire attack using ground ladders, preconnected hose lines, a thermal imaging camera, self contained breathing apparatus, axes and pike poles resulted in a quick knock down of the fire and this limited the fires spread to the interior of the apartment complex where there was a single occupant sleeping. The occupant of this apartment unit was unharmed even though the apartment unit was not equipped with a smoke detector. Due to an alert neighbor who noticed the fire and called 911, and the quick response and aggressive actions of the firefighters, the fire was kept small. Because the fire was quickly engulfing the exterior siding of this apartment, the fire was only minutes away from vertically extending into the soffit space and attic above where the outcome could have been very different for not only this occupant, but for all of the occupants in this complex. A total of 19 firefighters responded to this alarm. The fire cause at this time appears to have started from a discarded cigarette near a planter and wooden bench kept on the exterior balcony. Many people are of the belief that planter material in a container is made of dirt and non-flammable and therefore capable of extinguishing a cigarette. This is not the case. Planter material is in fact very flammable as it is composed of combustible fuel and because this fuel is in fine form, it readily ignites and will sustain flaming combustion. The Spokane Fire Department would like to remind everyone to exercise caution when using ignited materials and to extinguish these materials properly. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians at this fire.
PROBABLE CAUSE: Improperly discarded cigarette.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Fire damage to exterior balcony decking, bench, exterior siding and insulation.
DOLLAR LOSS: 750
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
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