Crews battle fire at storage facility

Issuing Officer:
Battalion Chief Dan Brown
Date of Incident:
1/17/2008
Incident Address:
322 EAST Foothill Dr

Spokane, WA 99207
Structure Fire
On January 17th 2008 Thursday at 11:07 a fire was reported in a storage unit at Self Storage 322 East Foothills Dr. Upon leaving the Station Ladder Company 2 reported a large column of smoke showing from a storage complex. Arriving on scene L2 reported several units were fully involved in flame. Large diameter hose lines were advanced to attack the fire. The storage units were metal clad construction which made it very difficult to gain entry and attack the fire. All the metal doors faces had to be cut by saws in order to release smoke and heat so firefighters could advance leads into the units, also door locks were cut. The roof was trenched about 150 feet from the first storage unit on fire; this was done to prevent the spread of fire into other units. Five units and contents were heavily damaged by fire and smoke. In all eighteen units suffered smoke and heat damage. It took about forty minutes to knock the main body of fire down. Overhaul and final extinguishment took an additional four hours. There were no injuries to report. Twenty three firefighters and three command personnel responded to this incident The Fire Department Community Assistance Response team (CARES) responded to this incident to render any help that may be needed for the tenants of the storage units. The cause of this fire is under investigation.
Probable Cause:
Under investigation
Damage Extent:
5 storage units and contents heavy damage. 13 other storage units suffered heat and smoke damage.
Firefighter Response: 23
Dollar Loss: $130,000,00
Mutual Aid: None Given