Fire damages home, Fireplace to blame

Issuing Officer: Bruce Moline/Battalion Chief Date of Incident: 2/4/2008 Incident Address: 1417 W. Shannon Spokane, WA 99205 Structure Fire On 2-4-08 at 8:01 P.M. the Spokane Fire Department responded 3 engine companies, 2 ladder companies, 1 rescue company and a battalion chief to a fire in a home located at 1417 W. Shannon. Firefighters found a fire burning near a wooden stairway and rapidly extending through walls and floors nearby. Two adults and two children made their way to safety because they were alerted by working smoke detectors. A centrally supervised alarm system was present in the home and the fire department was alerted immediately because of this. Crews worked hard to expose the hidden fire in the walls and floor by cutting open these areas with pike poles, axes and chain saws. Due to the smoky conditions inside, this took some time but eventually, firefighters were able to expose all areas where the fire had traveled. The fire was successfully contained after 45 minutes. It appears that the fire began after a fire had been built inside a fireplace insert. After heavy use, hot fires and repeated exposure to radiant and conducted heat, wooden framing members surrounding the chimney ignited. Once this ignition occurred, the fire then extended vertically inside the wall and also caught a portion of the wooden stairway and floor above on fire. There was smoke damage throughout the home, a minimal amount of water damage, and heavy fire damage to the walls, staircase and floor. A total of 21 firefighters responded to this alarm. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians. Shortly after the fire was contained, the Red Cross arrived to assist the family with arrangements. A working smoke detection and alarm system was key in alerting the family in this fire. The father had said that he had just put his children to bed and then his detectors began to activate. Firefighters remained on the scene until approximately midnight making sure all of the hotspots had been thoroughly extinguished. A fire crew will report to the scene this morning as well to complete some follow up work. Probable Cause: Repeated and heavy use of a fireplace insert that had with time, ignited adjacent structural framing members due to conducted and radiant heat. Damage Extent: Heavy fire damage to walls, a floor and the staircase. Smoke damage throughout the home and a small amount of water damage. Firefighter Response: 21 Dollar Loss: $75,000 Mutual Aid: None Given