DATE OF INCIDENT: 9/1/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Special Situation
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 4510 E. Wisconsin
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99212
NARRATIVE: On Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 at 10:54 A.M. the Spokane Fire Department responded to the Parkwater Yard area of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad located near the intersection of Trent and Airport for a report of a large pile of scrap railroad ties on fire. Engine 8, from their neighborhood fire station location at Mission and Rebecca was first on the scene and found the pile of ties to be fully involved in fire. They immediately requested additional help and both Engine 7 from 1st and Magnolia and Engine 15 from Wellesley and Crestline were sent. A nearby rail car was exposed to the flames, but as it turned it, this car contained scrap material and was not under any significant threat. Due to hydrants that were far apart from each other in this general area, a plan was made to provide water through other means. This included requesting a water tender from Fire District 9 and the possible use of the railroad's water trucks that they maintain. It was instead decided to stretch large diameter 5 inch hose, which all Spokane Fire Department engine companies carry, from a hydrant located approximately 1,300 feet to the east of the fire. This required using both Engine 7 and Engine 8. At this time, the fire was producing a large cloud of black smoke that could be seen for miles due to the enormous heat being produced and the creosote covering the ties. As the engine crews completed their water supply, they then began to mount their attack from the ground using hose lines. Ladder 2's crew raised their aerial bucket and attacked the fire from above which proved to be advantageous as they were able to reach void areas within the pile that the ground crews could not. After approximately 15 minutes of extinguishment from both the bucket and the ground, the fire was contained and confined to the pile.. A fire watch continued using another engine crew to make sure the fire was properly extinguished and that no embers remained. The Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit was on the scene as was the Fire Prevention Bureau. At this time, the cause of the fire was a person cutting up an older rail car with a cutting torch for salvage purposes. The operation was too close to the pile of dried wooden railroad ties. Damage was confined to the pile of scrap ties and to a portion of a nearby scrapped rail car. Later in the afternoon the fire watch crew confirmed that the fire was controlled and out. Shortly after this, Engine 7 and Engine 8 returned to the scene to begin the long process of picking up their 1,300 feet of 5 inch hose. A total of 13 firefighters fought this fire. There were no injuries to the railroad workers or firefighters during this incident. 3 engine companies, a ladder company and 2 battalion chiefs responded on this call.
PROBABLE CAUSE: A worker using a cutting torch while cutting on an older rail car accidentally caught the pile of rail ties on fire because the operation was too close to the pile.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The scrap pile of wooden ties was destoyed. The side of one scrapped rail car received some heat damage from the fire.
DOLLAR LOSS: 0
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 13
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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