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

2nd Alarm-Commercial

Incident #: 2013031082
Date of Incident: 07/13/2013
Issuing Officer: AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
On Saturday, June 13, 2013 at 7:55 PM, 6 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 4 Engines, 1 Senior Ladder and 1 Heavy Rescue under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Cornelius and Sabo responded to a commercial building fire at 1004 North Atlantic Street (Benthin & Associates).
 
While responding, firefighters were notified that 911 callers were reporting smoke emanating from the rear of a building near Division and Cataldo.  The first company arrived within 3-minutes and confirmed heavy, pressurized smoke from the rear of the 50’ x 70’ building located on Atlantic. The incident was upgraded to a working fire by the first arriving chief officer, which added an additional ladder company, AMR ambulance and AMR Supervisor.
 
Ladder companies had to force entry into multiple sides of the building which allowed engine companies access into the interior areas where they successfully located a well involved, intense fire. Later arriving ladder companies opened large areas in the roof with chain saws and axes to assist crews working on the building's interior by releasing heat and improving visibility. While attacking the fire, engines companies also performed a rapid, well-coordinated search of the premises for any victims and found nothing.  The fire was extinguished in approximately 90 minutes and the last fire companies left the scene after overhaul work approximately 2:00 AM.  There were no injuries to civilians during this incident, and one firefighters was treated and released from heat exhaustion.  

Cause:
The cause of the fire appears accidental and resulted from a cooking fire that was built in a concealed area near the rear of the building. 

Damage:
The structural damage to the building is primarily located in the rear of the structure, near the fire's origin. There is smoke damage throughout, however the overwhelming majority of the structure was saved.

# Firefighters Responding: 32

Other Agencies Responding:
Fire District 1, Spokane Police Department, American Medical Response, Avista

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