Attic fires damage two homes

 

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ATTIC FIRES DAMAGE TWO HOMES

ELECTRICAL CAUSES REPORTED IN BOTH FIRES

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​Electrical malfunctions started attic fires in two homes late Sunday causing more than $10,000 in damage to each house. No one was injured in either fire.

 

Firefighters cut through wired lath in the ceiling to contain a fire at 1218 E. Walton to an attic space above the kitchen area. The fire was reported at 8:36 pm, and all of the occupants of the home were out when firefighters arrived.

 

An area of approximately 4 feet by 4 feet was on fire and it appears that this fire's cause was due to electrical wiring and a kitchen ceiling fan. Engine 2, responding from an earlier fire on E. Illinois Ave., was the first on scene. Damage was estimated at $10,000.

 

The fire at 2601 E. Illinois, reported at 6:27 pm, was also in the attic. This fire also appears to be electrical in nature and caused an estimated $25,000 in heavy damage to the attic and smoke damage.

 

Many fire crews responded to both fires and were assisted by a fire department Rehab Unit to help them combat fatigue and exposure conditions in the extreme heat. No injuries were reported at either fire.

 

The Spokane Police Department and the American Red Cross assisted at the scenes.

 

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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

      

 

Train, truck collision brings HazMat response

 

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TRAIN, TRUCK COLLISION BRINGS HAZMAT RESPONSE

SPILL CONTAINED, CLEANED FROM SCENE

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​A train and tractor trailer collided at a crossing in east Spokane spilling several hundred gallons of magnesium chloride onto the street.

 

The Spokane Fire Department HazMat team was called to the railroad crossing Friday at North Havana Street near East Sprague Avenue to contain the spill from the trailer, which rolled onto its side during the collision. Magnesium chloride, which is commonly used for low-temperature de-icing of highways and streets, is relatively harmless, but creates an environmental concern in high quantities and concentrations.

 

Fire companies created dams in front of the storm sewer drains and prevented any product remaining in the trailer from reaching the drains and eventually vacuumed up the product.  Department of Ecology, City of Spokane Wastewater and the transporter/shipper cooperated to mitigate the spill and clean the area of remaining product.  ​

 

No one was injured, but the collision caused $80,000 in damage.

 

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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 damages north Spokane home

 

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FIRE DAMAGES NORTH SPOKANE HOME

NO ONE INJURED, FIRE CAUSES $15,000 IN DAMAGE

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​Investigators are trying to determine what caused a fire that damaged a home in north Spokane. No one was injured by the Friday evening fire.

 

Neighbors reported smoke coming from a home at 2927 North Smith at 5:35 pm. Firefighters arrived within 6 minutes and put the fire out within 45 minutes.

 

Four engines, one ladder, one rescue and two chief officers were dispatched to the incident. Structural damage was limited to the main living area. Smoke damage was reported throughout the home.

 

Damage was estimated at $15,000.    ​

                                                                 

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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

      

 

North Spokane house fire under investigation

 

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NORTH SPOKANE HOUSE FIRE UNDER INVESTIGATION

NO ONE INJURED, FIRE CAUSES $100,000 IN DAMAGE

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​The Spokane Fire Department is investigating the cause of a fire that heavily damaged a north Spokane home causing an estimated $100,000 in damage. No one was injured by the Friday evening fire.

 

Callers reported a possible explosion and a fire on the back porch of a home at 8116 N. Standard. Fire crews reported seeing a smoke column from station 18 at Lincoln and Division and 30 firefighters responded to the 4:30 pm fire.

 

Firefighters found heavy fire coming from the rear of the home that had climbed into the roofline and attic. The fire was brought under control after about 20 minutes. There was heavy damage to the rear of the structure and in the attic spaces with smoke and water damage throughout. 

 

The Spokane Police Department, Red Cross and Avista also assisted.

 

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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

      

 

One escapes injury in kitchen grease fire

 

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ONE ESCAPES INJURY IN KITCHEN GREASE FIRE

FIRE QUICKLY CONTAINED AND EXTINGUISHED

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​Cooking grease on a stove ignited and caused a kitchen fire in a single-family home late yesterday that spread smoke throughout the structure. No one was injured.  

 

The home located in the 1200 block on E. Illinois Ave. sustained fire and smoke damage to the entire kitchen area.  Six fire trucks and 21 firefighters responded and quickly contained and extinguished the fire. 

 

One occupant and pets were home at the time of the fire, but escaped unharmed. Damage was estimated at $10,000. 

 

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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

      

 

Investigators determine smoking materials sparked fire at Park Tower Apartments

 

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INVESTIGATORS DETERMINE SMOKING MATERIALS SPARKED FIRE AT PARK TOWER APARTMENTS

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​A fire in a high-rise building downtown yesterday afternoon temporarily displaced over one-hundred residents and brought temporary closure of a busy thoroughfare through a period of rush hour.  The blaze, reported to the Communication's Center at 3:35 PM, eventually brought over 60 firefighters to 217 West Spokane Falls Boulevard at the Park Tower Apartments.

 

The fire was reported by numerous residents and from passersby as it was seen throughout the downtown area as heavy smoke emanated from an apartment unit on the 17^th floor of the building.  The building's fire alarm was activated and many of the occupants from the building's 184 units were sent evacuating thought the interior stairs.  Some residents reported encountering dense smoke as they attempted to escape through the stairways and were assisted in their descent by firefighters.  Eventually, many of the 180 residents were sheltered in-place by fire companies that were working on floors below the fire while those in floors above the fire were evacuated.

The incident was immediately upgraded to a three-alarm fire and summoned all of SFD's available resources as well as multiple mutual-aid companies from Spokane Valley Fire Department, Fire District 8 and multiple others for assistance with coverage and simultaneous incident responses.

 

Since this building is not protected by a fire sprinkler system, firefighters were forced to climb to the 17th floor via stairwells with all of their firefighting equipment and stretch attack lines to the fire floor and receive high pressurized water supply from the building's standpipes via fire engines on the street.  The process of moving equipment and supplies in a high-rise during a fire is extremely personnel-intensive and requires a significant amount of resources. 

 

The fire was fully extinguished and declared under control at 4:02 p.m. - and no injuries were reported.  Family members from a 17^th floor apartment were displaced by the fire, and referred to the American Red Cross for assistance.  Many of the residents received care and medical treatment from SFD and AMR Paramedics including some meals and temporary sheltering provided by the neighboring Azteca restaurant for those residents who were at-risk from disease processes such as diabetes and others. 

 

A total of four Ladders, eleven Engines, two Medical Service Officers, one Heavy Rescue, two Safety Officers and three Quints responded to the multi-alarm incident. 

 

The cause of the nature of the fire was determined to be accidental and cause was smoking materials.

 

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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

      

 

City issues outdoor recreational fire restrictions

 

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FIRE MARSHAL ISSUES RESTRICTIONS ON OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL FIRES FOR THE CITY OF SPOKANE

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​Due to the hot, dry conditions, specified outdoor recreational fires (in ground campfires, fire bowls and fire pits) are prohibited in the City of Spokane effective tomorrow, June 17, 2015, by order of the Spokane City Fire Marshal.  The restriction will continue until further notice; such restrictions are subject to change depending on conditions.  Also click on the SFD website for info. 

 

Citizens may still use backyard barbecues, portable outdoor fireplaces or other patio/deck warmers, provided the appliance has a spark arrester and a chimney, approved fuel is used and weather conditions support safe recreational fires.  Approved fuels include seasoned (clean/dry) firewood, briquettes, propane, or natural gas.

 

Here are other requirements for outdoor fires:

 

·      Recreational fires may be in designated areas or on private property with owner approval.

·      Keep it small - Fires must not exceed a fuel area of 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height.

·      Fires must be attended by a responsible adult (knowledgeable in the use of the fire extinguishing equipment) at all times.

·      Approved fire extinguishing equipment must be on hand and ready for use.

o  Equipment can include a garden hose, dirt, sand, bucket, shovel, or a minimum 4A rated portable fire extinguisher.

·      Adequate clearance from combustibles must exist (25 feet in general).

o  For one and two-family dwellings, follow the device manufacturer's instructions for clearance.  Be safe and use good judgment.

o  For multi-family dwellings, use at least a 15-foot clearance from combustibles and structures.  Be safe and use good judgment.

·      Fires must not present a health hazard or nuisance to others.

·      Safe wind conditions (no more than 7 mph) must be present.

·      A Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency "green light" indication for air quality must be present: https://spokanecleanair.org/current-air-quality.

·      Ash and charcoal remnants must be safely disposed of in noncombustible waste containers.

 

Unsafe or otherwise restricted fires will be required to be extinguished.  Failure to comply with the burning restrictions could have serious consequences.  A person who fails to take immediate action to extinguish or otherwise discontinue unauthorized burning when ordered to do so is guilty of a misdemeanor.  That person can face a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to 90 days in jail.

 

Please see the attached for additional information.

 

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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 damages unoccupied home for second time

 

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FIRE DAMAGES UNOCCUPIED HOME FOR SECOND TIME

CAUSE OF BOTH FIRES, A MONTH APART, UNDER INVESTIGATION

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​Spokane fire investigators are trying to determine the cause of a fire that burned an unoccupied home early this morning for e second time in the past month. No one was injured, but damage was estimated at $100,000.

 

The fire at 517 E. Liberty Ave. was reported at 1:50 am and 32 firefighters responded. First-arriving crews reported heavy fire to the rear of the house and into the second floor.

 

Crews brought the fire under control in under an hour and kept the fire from spreading to neighboring homes. They will be on scene throughout the morning to ensure the fire is out and hazards are mitigated.

 

At this time the fire is under investigation. The Spokane Fire Department responded to this same residence approximately a month ago for another fire. That fire is also under investigation.

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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 on North Monroe intentionally set

 

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FIRE ON NORTH MONROE INTENTIONALLY SET

COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL BUILDING HEAVILY DAMAGED

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​A two-alarm fire that heavily damaged a mixed-use commercial and residential building early today was intentionally set. Five people living in the residential portion of the building got out unharmed.

 

Spokane Fire Department units dispatched to the fire at 2419 N. Monroe arrived on scene within 4 minutes of the 3:06 am call and found a single-story, mixed use commercial and residential structure, heavily involved with fire.  The fire was threatening adjacent businesses to the north and south. 

 

After it was determined that all residents had safely evacuated the structure, efforts concentrated on preventing the fire from extending into the adjacent businesses. A total of five residents were displaced by this fire.

 

The occupants in the apartment closest to the area of fire origin were alerted to the fire by an operating smoke detector and were forced to flee through a rear window. These occupants subsequently alerted their neighbors in the adjacent apartment and all were safely out of the structure when fire crews arrived.

A total of 45 firefighters and command staff responded to this fire, which was declared under control in just under an hour and a half. Avista Utilities secured the natural gas meter and de-energized an electrical line that had fallen as a result of the fire.

The SFD Special Investigation Unit is investigating the fire cause.

The Spokane Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of a properly operating smoke detector.  Had it not been for a properly operating smoke detector, this rapidly extending fire could have had a tragic outcome.

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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

      

 

Unattended food on stoves causes two fires

 

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UNATTENDED FOOD ON STOVES CAUSES TWO FIRES

DAMAGE CONTAINED TO KITCHENS IN SEPARATE FIRES

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​Two separate kitchen fires caused by food being left unattended on stoves kept firefighters busy and caused minor damage, but no one was injured. The Spokane Fire Department reminds citizens that leaving unattended items on the stove is a leading cause of house fires.

 

The fires occurred 90 minutes apart on Friday night. Cooking oil left unattended on the stove top caused the first fire at 7:00 pm in a four-unit apartment complex at 723 W. Carlisle.

 

Fire spread to the cabinets above the stove and some adjacent furnishings. The fire displaced occupants of the fire unit and the tenant in an adjacent apartment due to damages to the electrical system that made both apartments uninhabitable. Red Cross responded to assist the displaced occupants find housing for the evening. 

As fire units cleared the fire on Carlisle they were dispatched to a second cooking-related fire at approximately 8:30 pm in a two-story apartment unit at 6109 N. Colton. Fire units contained the second fire to the stovetop and there was no extension to the surrounding area or structure. The fire department was able to adequately clear smoke from the fire unit and the adjacent apartments and no individuals were displaced.

 

Total damage was estimated at $5,100.

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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