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Fireworks Reminders

Incident #:  n/a
Date of Incident:  6/29/2011
Issuing Officer:  Jan Doherty/Public Education Officer

Narrative:
As we approach the July 4th holiday, Spokane Fire Department wants to thank the community for complying with the fireworks ban that was enacted 19 years ago for the City of Spokane, Spokane Valley, Cheney, Millwood, Liberty Lake and the unincorporated parts of Spokane County. Last year, Spokane Fire responded to 3 fireworks-caused fires and local hospitals treated 2 persons for injuries. Compare that with State of Washington data showing a total of 414 fireworks-caused fires and 161 injuries, including one death from a sparkler bomb. With fireworks stands now operating in various parts of WA and ID, Spokane Fire Department has some reminders for the community. . Bottle rockets, missiles and fire crackers are illegal in every part of Washington State with the exception of some tribal land where fireworks can be used in designated areas. . Fines begin at $513 for individuals lighting any type of firework in the City of Spokane. . Fireworks cannot be lit on any forested land or in any park area. . In addition to fines and court costs, persons who start fires with fireworks are liable for restitution of damaged property and recovery of Fire Department (or Department of Natural Resources) response costs. . To report violations of the fireworks ban, call CRIME CHECK at 456-2233. Please enjoy the large scale Fireworks display in Riverfront Park that is provided annually for the entire community at 10 PM on July 4.

Cause:
n/a

Damage:
n/a

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The Fireworks Ban in Spokane Works!

Spokane’s fireworks ban has contributed to a safer Fourth of July for nearly two decades. This July marks the 19th year of a complete fireworks ban in Spokane, Spokane Valley, Cheney, Millwood, Liberty Lake and the unincorporated parts of Spokane County.



Spokane Fire Department personnel appreciate the dramatic reduction in fires and injuries that were traditionally associated with Independence Day celebrations in our community. Most local residents understand and respect the purpose of the fireworks ban.



Since the ban on consumer fireworks was enacted, fireworks-related fires and injuries have dropped dramatically. Fireworks-related fires in the City of Spokane dropped from an annual average of 104 in the 10 years prior to the ban to an average of 4 in the 10 years after the ban. In a similar manner, fireworks-caused injuries dropped from an annual average of 29 to 4. During the 2010 fireworks reporting period of June 28 to July 6, Spokane hospitals treated 2 injuries, and Spokane Fire Department responded to 3 fireworks-caused fires.



Common fireworks are NOT “Safe-and-Sane”! There are still about 8,000 fireworks-related injuries requiring emergency room care or hospitalization each year in the U.S. during the July 4th period. Most fireworks injuries involve devices that are legal under current federal law. The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Hand Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Center for Injury Research & Policy, Emergency Nurses Association, Fire Department Safety Officers Association, International Association of Arson Investigators, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Firefighters, International Fire Marshals Association and Prevent Blindness America are all in support of consumer fireworks bans throughout the U.S.



Individual fireworks are NOT cheap entertainment. Millions of dollars in direct property loss happens each year in less than a 2-week period as Americans celebrate Independence Day. The Colville Tribe lost over $15 million in timber on July 4, 2003, after someone lit a bottle rocket from their boat on Lake Roosevelt. In 2006, fireworks caused about $6 million in damage to schools in Washington State. Firecrackers, bottle rockets and missiles have been illegal throughout the State of Washington for more than 60 years, long before the Spokane ban.



The Spokane Fire Department encourages the community to celebrate the Fourth of July by enjoying the annual public fireworks display in Riverfront Park.



For additional information on the negative impact of individual fireworks across the U.S., contact the National Fire Protection Association or our public education desk.



Violations of the Spokane-area ban can be reported to Crime Check at 456-2233. Fireworks fines range from $513 to $1,000 for each infraction. Residents can dispose of unwanted fireworks in the household hazardous waste area at the Waste-to-Energy Facility and the transfer stations. There is no disposal cost.

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North Battalion Garage Fire

Incident #:  2011025169
Date of Incident:  6/27/2011
Issuing Officer:  Dave Haworth/Battalion Chief

Narrative:
On Monday, June 27, at 09:55 PM, the Spokane Fire Department responded 3 Engines, 2 Ladders, 1 Heavy Rescue Unit, and 2 Battalion Chiefs to a reported garage fire at 1409 N Wall St. Initial reports indicated there was a possibility that people were sleeping in the structure. SE3, which is located in the West Central Neighborhood, arrived with 4 minutes and reported a detached single car garage which was fully involved with fire. SE3 advanced a preconnected hose line off their apparatus and began to attack the fire. As additional companies arrived they attempted to search the structure, advanced additional hoses to protect other structures in the immediate area, and attached a supply hose to a nearby fire hydrant. The quick attack diminshed the fire and fortunately the search turned up no occupants. No other structures were damaged.

Cause:
The fire is under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department SIU.

Damage:
Damage was confined to the garage which was a total loss.

# Firefighters Repsonding: 23

Dollar Loss: $10,000

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Garage Fire North Battalion

Incident #:  2011024649
Date of Incident:  6/24/2011
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
On Friday June 24, 2011 at 5:07 PM, 5 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 3 Engines, 1 Heavy Rescue and 1-Senior Ladder under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Cornelius and Moline responded to a reported building fire at 616 East North Avenue. The first company within 5-minutes of being dispatched and reported a 1-story garage with smoke showing from the building. The first arriving Engine and Ladder Companies quickly knocked down the fire while additional companies provided support and overhaul activities. It took Firefighters just 15 minutes to knock down the fire and control the incident. Firefighters were able to contain the damage to the garage and prevent it from spreading to the nearby homes and overhead utilities. One civilian received smoke inhalation and was treated at the scene by Fire Department Paramedics. No other injuries were reported.

Cause:
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the FD's SIU.

Damage:
The garage received significant damage and likely a complete loss.

# Firefighters Repsonding: 19

Dollar Loss: $10000

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Urban Interface Fire

Incident #:  2011024322
Date of Incident:  6/22/2011
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
On Wednesday June 22, 2011 at 1:47 PM, 4 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 3 Brush Engines, 1 Engine and 1 mutual aid Tender under the direction of AC Schaeffer and BC Sabo responded to an Urban Interface Brush Fire at 5807 South Windstar. Firefighters arrived to find a column of smoke emendating from 1/2 acres of medium to heavy brush burning. The incident started alongside the steep hills near South Shelby Ridge Street and burned uphill towards South Windstar. Although the fire was slow moving, first arriving companies quickly assessed the need for additional ground crews due to the steep terrain and access problems by brush engines. As more companies were called into action, additional personnel were strategically placed, halting the fire from its advance to homes above the fire. With relatively slow wind speeds being 5 mph, a relative humidity of 35%, and the temperature at 85 degrees, firefighters were able to knock down the flames in less than 1 hour. Due to the strong efforts of 19 firefighters, this fire was completely extinguished with no threats to civilian or any structures.

Cause:
The cause of the fire was investigated and determined to be incendiary and related to juveniles playing with fire. The juveniles were identified and parents contacted by SFD Fire Officials.

Damage:
1/2 acre of wooded terrain.

# Firefighters Repsonding: 19

Dollar Loss: $0

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Buckeye Command

Incident #:  2011024317
Date of Incident:  6/22/2011
Issuing Officer:  Battalion Chief Jones

Narrative:
On 06/22/11 at 13:14 hours, the Spokane Fire Department responded 3 engines, 2 ladders, 1 rescue, and 2 battalion chiefs to a reported structure fire at 2311 W Buckeye. First arriving SE3 reported smoke showing at the roof of a two story single family residence. Firefighters aggressively performed an interior attack on the fire while additional fire crews completed search and rescue, roof ventilation and salvage and overhaul. The fire was located by SE3 in the basement and extinguished. No one was home at the time of the fire. 6 fire companies with 21 firefighters responded to this fire. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters. Damage by fire was confined to the basement and first floor, smoke damage thought out the structure. This fire is under investigation by the Spokane Fire Departments SIU.

Cause:
This fire is under investigation by the Spokane Fire Departments SIU.

Damage:
Fire was cnfined to the basement and first floor . Smoke damage thought out the strusture.

# Firefighters Repsonding: 21

Dollar Loss: $10,000

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Spokane House Hotel Fire

Spokane House Hotel Fire

Incident #: 2011024096 Date of Incident: 6/21/2011 Issuing Officer: AC Schaeffer

Narrative:

On Tuesday June 21, 2010 at 5:41 AM, Spokane Ladder 4 and Engine 4 were dispatched to an automatic alarm at 4301 West Sunset. While the initial companies were enroute, Fire Dispatch received additional information from the business that smoke was present on the first floor. Fire dispatch subsequently upgraded the alarm to a full response adding 6 additional companies including 3 Engines, 1 Heavy Rescue and 2-Senior Ladders under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Moline and Haworth. Station 4 companies arrived within 7-minutes and reported a working fire in the first floor of the five-story hotel. Due to the topography of the hill, the first floor of this building is actually below grade. The fire was rapidly growing in a commercial laundry service area and had spread to large electrical utility components which created tactical concerns for the companies entering the fire area. The incident was upgraded by Chief Moline to a "working incident" and multiple companies were assigned to manage assisting the orderly evacuation of civilians and controlling the building's ventilation system. Ladder companies provided quick searches of adjoining areas while engines were utilized to support the building's standpipe system and stretch hose leads to the below-grade fire. It took 34 Firefighters just 20-minutes to locate and knock down the fire and control the incident. Firefighters were able to contain the damage to the primary service area on the1st floor and successfully prevented it from spreading vertically to the second floor or to any of the adjoining horizontal areas. The commercial electrical service was shut down and tagged out by Avista on-scene due to the severe damage and electrocution concerns to workers. No civilians or firefighters were injured as a result of the incident.

Cause:

The cause is under investigation by the SFD's SIU and the Hotel Management is assisted any displaced occupants. The building is not able to occupy this morning, but all efforts are being made to isolate areas in the building which can be used for safe occupation.

Damage:

Firefighters remained on scene for several hours, protecting the building's contents from additional damage during the salvage and overhaul operations. The damage to the first floor laundry service area is significant and does include severe damage to electrical components. The total dollar loss due to the fire was estimated at $25k-45k.

# Firefighters Repsonding: 34

Dollar Loss: $45000

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Swimming Pool Safety !

Incident #: 
Date of Incident:  6/6/2011
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer
Narrative:
The Spokane Fire Department is proud to support the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Safe Kids USA and the National Drowning Prevention Alliance in their effort to remind every American to Pool Safely! Pool Safely is a national public education effort to reduce child drownings, non-fatal submersions and entrapments in swimming pools and spas. The 7 Simple Steps to Pool Safely are; 1. Constant Supervision, 2. Proper Fencing 3. Pool & Spa Safety Covers, 4. Door, Gate & Pool Alarms, 5. Safety Drain Covers, 6. Swimming Lessons, 7.Learning CPR To learn more, please visit our Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com or poolsafely.gov and most important, STAY SAFE this season!!!
Cause:
N/A
Damage:
N/A
# Firefighters Repsonding: 0
Dollar Loss: $0

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Manito Park Neighborhood Natural Gas Leak

Incident #:  2011021743
Date of Incident:  6/4/2011
Issuing Officer:  Bruce Moline/Battalion Chief

Narrative:
On June 4th, 2011 at 3:26 P.M. the Spokane Fire Department responded 3 engine companies, 1 ladder company, a pumper ladder company, 1 rescue unit and 2 battalion chiefs to a report of a natural gas leak in the Manito Park neighborhood located at 46 W. 25th. Fire crews found a residential gas line ruptured behind a private residence. A protective hose line was placed, and at the same time, a coordinated house by house search was conducted in order to make sure the leaking gas was confined to the local area. The Avista Company responded and successfully controlled the escaping gas after approximately 30 minutes. After a second check of the neighborhood for migrating gas, the occupants of nearby dwellings were allowed to return to their homes. The cause of the gas line break was a backhoe working in the area. A total of 19 firefighters responded on this incident.

Cause:
A backhoe working in the area severed the gas line.

Damage:
Avista gas line and associated equipment was damaged in this incident.

# Firefighters Repsonding: 19

Dollar Loss: $1,000

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Pho Van Restaurant Fire

Incident #:  2011021516
Date of Incident:  6/2/2011
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
COMMERCIAL FIRE On Friday, June 3, 2011 at 11:42PM, 6 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 3 Engines, 2 Senior Ladders and 1 Heavy Rescue under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Cornelius and Clive Jones responded to a building fire at 1212 North Hamilton (Pho Van Restaurant). While responding, firefighters were notified by a passerby that smoke was emanating from the restaurant. The first company arrived within 4-miniutes and found an intense fire inside the rear of the 40' x 30' concrete building. The incident was upgraded to a working fire by the first ladder company which added an additional company and other off-duty resources. Ladder companies had to force entry into multiple sides of the building which allowed engine companies access to the interior where they successfully located and extinguished the fire. Ladder companies also performed a rapid, well-coordinated search of the premises for any victims and found nothing. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters on this incident.

Cause:
The incident is currently under investigation by the Fire Department's SIU.

Damage:
The fire was confined to the area in the rear of the building in less than 30-minutes. Firefighters were able to protect a large amount of the restaurant's contents. Damage estimates are still being calculated.

# Firefighters Repsonding: 31

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Pho Van Restaurant Fire

Incident #:  2011021516
Date of Incident:  6/3/2011
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
COMMERCIAL FIRE On Friday, June 3, 2011 at 11:42PM, 6 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 3 Engines, 2 Senior Ladders and 1 Heavy Rescue under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Cornelius and Clive Jones responded to a building fire at 1212 North Hamilton (Pho Van Restaurant). While responding, firefighters were notified by a passerby that smoke was emanating from the restaurant. The first company arrived within 4-miniutes and found an intense fire inside the rear of the 40' x 30' concrete building. The incident was upgraded to a working fire by the first ladder company which added an additional company and other off-duty resources. Ladder companies had to force entry into multiple sides of the building which allowed engine companies access to the interior where they successfully located and extinguished the fire. Ladder companies also performed a rapid, well-coordinated search of the premises for any victims and found nothing. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters on this incident.

Cause:
The incident is currently under investigation by the Fire Department's SIU.

Damage:
The fire was confined to the area in the rear of the building in less than 30-minutes. Firefighters were able to protect a large amount of the restaurant's contents. Damage estimates are still being calculated.

# Firefighters Repsonding: 31

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Early Morning Strip Mall Fire

Incident #: 2011019034
Date of Incident: 5/17/2011
Issuing Officer: AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
On Tuesday May 17, 2011 at 6:04 AM, 8 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 5 Engines, 2 Senior Ladders and 1 Heavy Rescue under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Brown and Fielder responded to a commercial structure fire at 918 North Division "U-Save Cleaners." Firefighters arrived within 5-minutes and found a long strip mall with smoke showing from a middle unit (U-Save Cleaners). Firefighters met an employee which explained that she had discharged a fire extinguisher to the ceiling after seeing flames. Initial companies entered the Cleaner's portion of the building to locate and extinguish the quick moving overhead fire while additional companies forced entry into adjoining units to prevent the fire from spreading to other businesses. SFD members skillfully protected clothing, records and equipment in the building while holding the fire to the area above U-Save Cleaners. The fire was extinguished completely in just 30 minutes. No injuries were reported.

Cause:
The cause of this early morning fire is still under investigation.

Damage:
Primary damage is limited to the U-Cleaners section of the building. Utilities have been temporarily disabled to the entire building limiting service to Supercuts and Hollywood Video.

# Firefighters Responding: 29

Dollar Loss: $20000

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STRUCTURE FIRE WITH BURN VICTIM

Incident #:  2011018498
Date of Incident:  5/13/2011
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
On Friday May 13, 2011 at 2:32 PM, 8 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 2 Senior Ladders, 5 Engines, 1 Heavy Rescue under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Cornelius and Jones, responded to a building fire at 229 West Second Avenue in downtown Spokane. While enroute to the incident, companies were notified that civilians may be trapped and one victim was reportedly ".on fire in the hallway of the first floor..." The first companies arrived within three-minutes and confirmed that smoke was showing from the front and rear of the three-story apartment building. The first due Engine and Ladder went to work immediately on arrival and secured water supply and stretched a hoseline in attempt to control the fire's progress and protect the egress of civilians from the upper floors. Simultaneously the Ladder Company searched the area of the fire unit for savable civilians. A male victim was located and removed from the hallway of floor 1 to the exterior where he was immediately treated by awaiting SFD Paramedics. All companies assigned on the alarm were immediately dedicated to searching the building while trying to suppress the fire's progress when they arrived. Decisive action by first arriving company officers allowed a successful search of the entire building which resulted in a confirmation that all 25 occupants were evacuated and accounted for. The fire was declared under control in less than 30-minutes and no other injuries were reported.

Cause:
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Fire Department's Special Investigation Unit.

Damage:
Damage was limited to the first-floor unit of the fire's origin. The building was protected with a fire alarm system AND a sprinkler system. Both systems worked appropriately. The smoke detectors and fire alarm alerted all of the building's residents of the emergency and allowed for an early and controlled egress. The closest sprinkler head to the fire was activated and successfully kept the fire confined to the area of origin until firefighters could stretch hoselines to the seat of the fire and extinguish it completely. The building's safety systems have been restored and Fire Marshal Lisa Jones has allowed occupancy for the building with exception of the unit that received damage from fire. The victim is an adult male suffering from critical 3rd degree burns over 60% of his body plus significant airway burns. He was initially transported to Sacred Heart and has just been transferred to Harborview in Seattle.

# Firefighters Repsonding: 31

Dollar Loss: $10,000

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House Fire Indian Trail Neighborhood

Incident #:  2011017928
Date of Incident:  5/9/2011
Issuing Officer:  Craig Cornelius / Battalion Chief

Narrative:
The Spokane City Fire Department dispatched fire fighting crews to 4329 W. Arrowhead Rd. at 16:59 hours on Monday, May 9th, 2011. Fire Dispatch forwarded to the responding companies that there was fire and visible flames in the home's mechanical room. Engine 17 from the neighborhood fire station located at Lowell and Indian Trail arrived within 4 minutes of being dispatched. Engine 17's crew under the direction of Lt. Jeff Hager reported that they had a basement fire in a single family residential home. Lt. Hager and his crew donned their Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and immediately advanced a charged hose line through the garage to the back entry door. Other responding fire companies were assigned to help in moving the hose while Engine 17 advanced down the interior stairs into the basement. Additional hose lines were stretched to provide protection for the attack crew, and to secure a water supply from a near by fire hydrant. The owner of the home, who was present when the fire started, had attempted to extinguish the growing fire and burned portions of his hands and face in the process. Assistant Chief Brian Schaeffer who lives in the Indian Trail neighborhood arrived shortly after the first arriving fire crews. Chief Schaeffer made contact with the home owner and assisted in providing medical care for his burns and smoke inhalation. The home owner was transported to a local hospital for additional treatment. The fire itself was quickly knocked down and confined to a portion of the basement by the fast aggressive action taken by Engine 17's crew. The fire cause is still being investigated at this time, but appears to be accidental in nature.

Cause:
Fire cause is still under investigation.

Damage:
Fire damage was confined to the basement.

# Firefighters Repsonding: 26

Dollar Loss: $20000

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North Battalion, Natural Gas leak

Incident #:  2011017309
Date of Incident:  5/4/2011
Issuing Officer:  Joel Fielder/ Battalion Chief

Narrative:
At approximately 10:30 PM on May 4, 2011 crews from the Spokane Fire Department responded to a natural gas leak at the intersection of Division and Queen. It was reported by an Avista supervisor that a 2 inch gas line had been cut during road construction work. Fire crews established an evacuation zone in the general neighborhood and gained access to several businesses to monitor the structures for any indications of migrating natural gas. Avista crews were able to shut the gas flow off and repair the line. Fire department resources consisting of four engine companies, three ladders companies, a rescue apparatus and 2 response chiefs were utilized on this incident which was terminated at 12:30 AM. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters and the incident was confined to the area of origin.

Cause:
Cut gas line from road construction work.

Damage:
Confined to gas line

# Firefighters Repsonding: 31

Dollar Loss: $1

End Of Release
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