South Battalion House Fire
Incident #: 2013031398 Date of Incident: 07/15/2013 Issuing Officer: Bob Green/Battalion Chief
Narrative:
The Spokane City Fire Dept. dispatched firefighting crews and their apparatus to 35 E 28th Ave. at 17:09 hrs on Monday afternoon, July 15th, for a reported structure fire at that address. Rescue 9, from the neighborhood fire station located at 18th and Bernard, was the first apparatus to arrive on scene. The officer on that apparatus reported by radio that there was light smoke coming from the roof area of the house and that they were going to force entry into the structure. As fire crews began arriving on scene they were assigned to various tasks which included initial fire attack, a back-up hose line to protect the crew already going inside to check for fire, water supply, a ladder crew to go to the roof to be in position should roof ventilation be required, other crews were assigned to begin pulling ceilings in the main floor and to do a thorough search of the home for any potential victims, a Scene Safety Officer was assigned, and the mandated RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) was established for any needed rescue of a lost or down fire fighter. Fortunately the sole occupant of the house was not at home at the time of the call. Fire crews found some defective or damaged wiring in the ceiling and walls that had been producing enough heat, especially in the attic space, to actually have nearly burnt through some of the roof system's structural members. Avista was requested to respond and their crew disconnected the electrical power to the structure. The home owner arrived on scene after getting off work and mentioned that he had experienced some electrical problems in the home lately. Since electrical service to the home had been disconnected, Red Cross was requested to assist the homeowner with temporary lodging until the house could be repaired. There were no reports of injuries to any of the fire fighters at the scene. The building sustained damage on the main floor. The cause of this fire is being investigated by the Spokane City Fire Dept.’s Special Investigation Unit. Four engines, one senior ladder, one heavy rescue truck, and two Command Vehicles delivered 20 fire fighters to this incident. Some of the initial arriving crews were returned in service after being on scene for only a few minutes as the calls for service in other parts of the City were rather high on this particular afternoon.
Cause:
Currently under investigation by the Spokane City Fire Dept.'s Special Investigation Unit.
Damage:
Ceilings in the living room and kitchen were pulled and some walls were opened to find the smoldering fire. Some structural framing in the roof system was damaged by long term exposure to heat producing wiring.
# Firefighters Responding: 20
Dollar Loss: $ 30,000
Other Agencies Responding:Spokane Police Department,
End Of Release For more information on this release please call (509) 625-7002
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