Rescuers help injured man from riverbank

 

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RESCUERS HELP INJURED MAN FROM RIVERBANK

72-YEAR-OLD MAN SUFFERED LEG INJURIES

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Members of the Spokane Fire Department High Angle Rescue team, with the assistance of other rescuers, pulled an injured 72-year-old man from the steep banks of the Spokane River near the Post Street Bridge today.

 

Firefighters were called to the bridge at 9:47 am. Members of the Spokane Police Department and Riverfront Park Security were on scene, and helped remove the man from the river.

 

High Angle Rescue team members along with rescuers from three engines and a ladder truck utilized an aerial device and several ropes to safely extricate the man from the riverbank. He suffered from several abrasions and leg trauma, but was conversing with firefighters and police officers.

The man entered the river a few hundred yards upstream. 

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

Minor fire damages downtown library elevator

 

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MINOR FIRE DAMAGES DOWNTOWN LIBRARY ELEVATOR

ELECTRICAL FIRE LIMITED TO ELEVATOR SHAFT; LIBRARY OPEN

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An electrical fire in the elevator of the downtown library was quickly contained this morning before it opened to the public. No one was injured and the library opened on time.

 

An employee reported that the elevators were not working and black smoke was seen in the parking garage under the library at 906 W. Main Ave. Fire crews were dispatched at 7:09 am and smelled a light odor on the first floor when they arrived.

 

Damage was limited to the mechanical infrastructure in the elevator shaft. The library opened on time at 10 am this morning.

 

Library elevators remain closed while technicians work to repair and reopen. Members of the public who need elevator access are directed to enter through the skywalk from River Park Square.

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

Specialized training to be provided for ARUs

 

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SPECIALIZED TRAINING TO BE PROVIDED FOR ARUs

IMPROVEMENTS BASED ON NEARLY TWO YEARS OF INCIDENT DATA

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The Spokane Fire Department will provide specialized training to responders who currently staff the pilot Alternative Response Units and update dispatch procedures to better prepare units for calls they are likely to be sent on.

 

Nearly two years of call data identified opportunities to improve the program, which dispatches a smaller vehicle staffed by a single firefighter/EMT or firefighter/paramedic to non-emergency calls. Training and updates are expected to be completed by the first week of June. ARUs will not be dispatched to calls during the training period to allow for the changes and training to occur.

 

“The program has produced extremely positive results, and we have used the data to constantly analyze, change and improve it to deliver the best results to our citizens,” said Brian Schaeffer, assistant fire chief.

 

An independent third-party evaluation will be commissioned as part of the ongoing evaluation of the pilot program to determine its long-term feasibility.

 

The pilot ARU program, the result of a Fire Task Team recommendation, was launched in September 2013 as a way to introduce greater flexibility and reliability in meeting the increasing demand for medical services. The pilot program was extended a year ago through the end of 2016 based on extremely positive feedback from the community, medical outcomes and a number of successful performance metrics. Medical incidents account for 87 percent of all department responses when automobile accidents with a medical component are included.

 

The pilot ARUs have responded to 3,860 calls since the program began. Sending the smaller vehicle leaves the larger trucks in the station and available to respond to more critical, emergency incidents.

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

Fire significantly damages West Central home

 

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FIRE SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGES WEST CENTRAL HOME

CAUSE OF EARLY MORNING FIRE UNDER INVESTIGATION

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The lone occupant of a West Central home that suffered significant fire damage early Monday escaped without injury. Fire investigators are working to determine a cause.

 

Crews were dispatched to the home at 2517 W. Broadway at 12:09 am and could see smoke and flame as they came across the Maple Street Bridge. Once on scene, crews found a large one-and-a-half story residence with large amounts of fire visible from the back side and all through the attic. Fire also had burned through the roof.

 

A total of 31 firefighters battled the fire, which also threatened a house to the east and burned a power line on the back side of the structure. Damage to the second floor, attic, roof and back wall was estimated at $75,000.

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

Small aircraft with two occupants crashes into Spokane River

JOINT PUBLIC SAFETY

Spokane Police ** Spokane Fire ** Spokane County Sheriff’s Office

SMALL AIRCRAFT WITH TWO OCCUPANTS CRASHES INTO SPOKANE RIVER

 

May 7, 2015

 

Contact Person

            Deputy Chief Andy Hail

            Spokane Valley Fire Department

            509.370.5482

            haila@spokanevalleyfire.com

 

At 3:54 p.m., Thursday, May 7, Spokane Police and Fire departments received a report from Felts Field Air Traffic Control Tower staff that an aircraft declared an unspecified in-flight emergency.  Spokane Police (SPD) and Fire Departments immediately dispatched multiple resources to Felts Field in east Spokane.  While enroute, witnesses provided information that a small private aircraft had crashed into the Spokane River immediately to the east of the Upriver Dam.  The plane submerged under water to an undetermined depth after remaining afloat for a short period of time.

 

While attempting to access the crash site a slow moving freight train impeded and delayed the response of both police and fire responders, with a multiple minute delay.  At 4:04 p.m. the response was upgraded to a water rescue event with dispatch of additional resources from Spokane Fire (SFD), Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Dive Team.  Initial responders arrived at the south side of the River to initiate rescue efforts.

 

A unified command system was initiated to coordinate the rescue and recovery efforts that eventually involved 11 agencies.  Watercraft from SFD, SCSO and SVFD supported three SCSO Dive Team members, who extricated 2 adult males from the submerged aircraft and were able to transport the patients to shore where SFD medics initiated resuscitative efforts.  The patients’ status and medical conditions are unknown at this time.  Specific plane and flight information will likely be provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as part of their investigation tomorrow.

 

An unspecified amount of fuel was observed leaking from the plane.  Washington State Department of Ecology (WADOE) personnel are currently coordinating deployment of fuel containment booms and recovery efforts with SFD support.

 

Law enforcement and fire resources will remain on scene throughout the evening to ensure scene security and continued fuel clean-up efforts while awaiting the arrival of investigators from the NTSB, deployed from Los Angeles.

 

Further information will be provided in coordination with the NTSB.

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

Fire burns interior of West Central home

 

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FIRE BURNS INTERIOR OF WEST CENTRAL HOME

ONE INJURED; CAUSE UNDER INVESTIGATION

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Firefighters contained a fire to the second floor bedroom of a home in West Central Spokane this evening. One person was injured and Spokane Fire Department investigators are working to determine a cause.

Neighbors reported smoke coming from the front of the residence at 1003 W. Frederick around 4:55 pm. The first arriving fire crews confirmed that heavy smoke was coming from the second floor window of the home. Firefighters entered and confined the fire to the second floor.

The fire started in a second-floor bedroom, burning a mattress and several furnishings, and also caused light structural damage. A total of 24 firefighters from four engine companies, two ladder trucks and one rescue quickly controlled the fire. A 45-year-old male that was visiting the occupants attempted to fight the fire and received first and second-degree burns to his hands and was treated by firefighters at the scene.

Damage was estimated at $4,000.

 

 

Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

Fire burns exterior of northeast Spokane home

 

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FIRE BURNS EXTERIOR OF NORTHEAST SPOKANE HOME

NO ONE INJURED; CAUSE UNDER INVESTIGATION

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Firefighters contained a fire to the exterior of home in northeast Spokane this morning. No one was injured and Spokane Fire Department investigators are working to determine a cause.

 

Neighbors reported smoke and flames coming from the rear of the residence at 517 E. Liberty at 7:49 am. The first arriving fire crews confirmed that flames were showing.  

 

The majority of the fire was confined to the exterior of the residence and involved the siding. It also initially threatened extension into the soffit and attic area. A total of 24 firefighters from four engine companies, two ladder trucks and one rescue quickly controlled the fire.

 

Several salvage covers were also utilized to minimize damage to the contents of the interior of the home. Damage was estimated at $5,000. Avista Utilities secured the natural gas meter and de-energize the electrical line that serviced the structure. 

 

 

 

Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

Fire damages north Spokane garage

 

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FIRE DAMAGES NORTH SPOKANE GARAGE

FIREFIGHTERS KEEP FIRE FROM SPREADING TO HOME

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Fire heavily damaged a detached garage in northwest Spokane on Friday evening, but firefighters knocked it down before it spread to the nearby home. Spokane police officers who were first on scene helped four occupants safely evacuate the home.

 

Spokane Fire Department crews were dispatched to 1109 W. Nebraska at 5:03 pm. Crews found the detached garage fully involved with fire, which was spreading to the residence a few feet away.

The fire was rapidly controlled by 24 firefighters from four engine companies, two ladder trucks and a rescue. Firefighters contained the fire to the garage and successfully prevented any significant fire extension to the home. Damage was estimated at $10,000.

 
Avista Utilities secured the natural gas meter and de-energized an electrical line that had fallen as a result of the fire.

No one was injured, and firefighters noted the home had working smoke detectors that were in the alarm mode when fire crews arrived on scene. The cause of the fire is being investigated by members of the Spokane Fire Department SIU.

 

 

 

Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

One pulled from roof of burning home

 

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ONE PULLED FROM ROOF OF BURNING HOME

NORTH SIDE HOME SUFFERS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE

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Firefighters rescued an occupant who escaped to the roof near a second-story window to get away from a fire that significantly damaged a home in north Spokane early today. No one was injured by the 3 am blaze at 4908 N. Nelson.

 

Investigators are trying to determine what caused the fire that damaged the rear exterior of the house, first-floor kitchen area, second floor and attic, but have said it is possibly suspicious in nature. Damage was estimated at $25,000.

 

Fire crews could see fire and smoke on the back side of the structure when they arrived. The fire had also extended to the interior of the home.

 

Firefighters used a ladder to help one occupant climb off the roof. A second occupant was also uninjured. Twenty-eight firefighters responded.

 

Avista turned off gas and electrical service to the damaged structure. Red Cross provided shelter and services to two occupants.

 

 

 

Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

Fire heavily damages west central home

 

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FIRE HEAVILY DAMAGES WEST CENTRAL HOME

DETACHED GARAGE, RV A TOTAL LOSS

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The Spokane Fire Department is investigating a two-alarm fire in west central Spokane that damaged a home, detached garage and RV on the property. Firefighters are expected to remain on scene until later this morning.

 

Flames were showing on the rear of the home at 1322 W. Mansfield Ave. when firefighters arrived shortly after 4:45 pm. Tuesday. Homes to the north and east were also threatened, and a second alarm was sounded. One person reportedly suffered a minor burn injury, but left the scene prior to the arrival of the fire department.

 

The home suffered significant damage, and the RV and detached garage were a total loss. Minor damage was reported to the home to the east, including a broken window and smoke damage. Total damage was estimated at $125,000.

 

A total of 35 firefighters from nine engines, two ladders, one rescue unit, two battalion chiefs and the chief's staff responded to the fire.

 

 

 

Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

SFD asking for help locating two people

 

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SFD ASKING FOR HELP LOCATING TWO PEOPLE

MAY HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT SUNDAY FIRES

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The Spokane Fire Department's Special Investigations Unit is asking for the public's assistance in identifying two persons believed to have information about the suspected arson fire that took place on March 29^th in 300 East block of 5^th Avenue.

 

During the period leading up to the fire, two people on bicycles were captured on surveillance tape in the vicinity of where the fire originated.

 

Anyone with information regarding the identity of these individuals or their locations are urged to contact the Spokane Fire Department's Special Investigation Unit at (509) 344-3473.

 

Fire damages three house early Sunday

 

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FIRE DAMAGES THREE HOUSES EARLY SUNDAY

DRIVERS ON I-90 REPORTED SMOKE FROM FIFTH AVENUE HOMES

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A fire that damaged three homes in the 300 block of East Fifth Avenue early Sunday morning is under investigation.

 

More than 40 firefighters contained the blaze to the three homes and extinguished the fires in two hours.  No injuries were reported.

Fire Communications received multiple reports from drivers on I-90 of smoke coming from three homes, 351, 359 and 363 East Fifth Avenue just after 6 a.m. Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire on all floors of the three structures. Second and third alarms were quickly requested due to the fire's increasing intensity and threat to adjacent businesses.  

 

Despite intense flames reaching skyward and threatening adjacent businesses, companies successfully confined the greater alarm blaze to the original structures, preventing it from consuming the majority of the structures. 

Fire loss is still being estimated.  The cause of the fires is still being investigated. 

Working smoke detector alerts homeowner to fire

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WORKING SMOKE DETECTOR ALERTS HOMEOWNER TO FIRE

REMINDER TO CHANGE YOUR BATTERIES THIS WEEKEND WITH YOUR CLOCKS

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Firefighters contained a fire started by food left cooking unattended to the kitchen of a northeast Spokane home Friday night. The home's lone occupant escaped without injury.

The fire started about 7:30 pm when the homeowner left the kitchen to take a phone call and was extinguished about 10 minutes after firefighter arrived. Smoke damaged additional rooms throughout the home in the 2500 block of N. Upriver Ct. A working smoke detector alerted the homeowner to the fire and prevented her from potential injury, according to firefighters. Damage was estimated at $20,000.

The Spokane Fire Department reminds people to change the batteries in their smoke detectors this weekend when they change their clocks.

Faulty chimney sparks house fire

 

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FAULTY CHIMNEY SPARKS HOUSE FIRE

NO ONE INJURED IN TUESDAY EVENING BLAZE

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No one was injured Tuesday evening by a fire caused by the faulty chimney of a wood burning stove in northwest Spokane.

Fire spread into an exterior wall during the 6 pm blaze at 2827 W. Wellesley. The home's occupants were out of the house when firefighters arrived. Wellesley was shut down for approximately two hours by the fire.

​Damage, which was estimated at $7,000, was limited to the exterior wall and ceiling surrounding the chimney. The rest of the home suffered light smoke damage.

Attic fire damages east Spokane home

 

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ATTIC FIRE DAMAGES EAST SPOKANE HOME

INVESTIGATORS FOCUSING ON WIRING AS POSSIBLE CAUSE

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Older-style wiring may have caused an attic fire that damaged an east Spokane home early Saturday, according to Spokane Fire Department investigators. Three people escaped the home uninjured.

 

Firefighters quickly knocked down the 12:30 am fire in the 3600 block of East Pacific. Smoke and fire damaged the attic and wall extending to the kitchen.

The Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit is focusing on wiring in the attic as a possible cause. The family of three will be temporarily displaced while repairs to the structure are made. Damage was estimated at $20,000.