SFD Media Release - For more information on this release please call (509) 625-7002

Hillyard Neighborhood Fire

Incident #: 2013012287
Date of Incident: 03/22/2013
Issuing Officer: AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
On Friday March 22, 2013 at 7:16 PM, 6 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 1 Senior Ladder, 1 Heavy Rescue, 4 Engines under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Donahoe and Moline, responded to a structure fire at 5001 North Regal in Northeast Spokane.  While companies were responding, 911 callers indicated that heavy smoke and fire could be seen from the second floor of the home and that all occupants had exited. 

Firefighters from Station 15 arrived within 4-minutes to find heavy smoke showing from the second floor of the two story single family home. The incident was immediately upgraded to a working fire 'working fire' adding an additional Ladder Company, AMR Ambulance and an AMR Supervisor to the scene. The first arriving ladder company immediately laddered the roof from several sides and manually cut ventilation holes above the heaviest area of fire-involvement to allow engine companies to attack the fire from the rear of the house.  Early in the incident, all firefighters had to withdraw due to untenable fire conditions on the second floor. The fire was attacked from the exterior for nearly an hour until enough progress was made to resume an aggressive attack. The well coordinated effort of firefighters confined flames to the home’s second floor and remained on scene throughout the night and morning taking protective measures for the occupant’s property. There were no civilian injuries reported, however two cats are assumed dead from the smoke and extreme heat.  Additionally, one firefighter was transported to a local hospital for a musculoskeletal injury and was released last night.   

Cause:
The cause is under investigation and displaced families are receiving assistance from the Inland NW Chapter of the American Red Cross. 

Damage:
The second floor and roof is completely destroyed. Fire companies spent the majority of the day today assisting the occupants in retrieving their personal effects.

# Firefighters Responding: 30

Other Agencies Responding:
Spokane Police Department,

End Of Release
For more information on this release please call (509) 625-7002