SFD Media Release - For more information on this release please call (509)625-7002

ISSUING OFFICER: AC Brian Schaeffer
DATE OF INCIDENT: 12/30/2008
INCIDENT TYPE: Special Situation
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1724 West Francis
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99208

NARRATIVE: On Monday, December 29, 2008 at 4:38 PM, 2 Companies of Spokane City Firefighters, 1 Engine and 1 ALS Pumper-Ladder, responded to an automatic alarm at the Rosauers Store 1724 West Francis. While enroute, the Fire Dispatch Center received additional information from on-site sources that the store had suffered a roof collapse. An additional ALS Medic Unit (staffed by off-duty firefighters which had been brought in to supplement the deployment system during peak time) and additional Chief Officers (including the Chief of the Department) were added to the alarm.

Firefighters from the close neighborhood stations arrived quickly to discover a large single-story commercial building (approximately 48,600 square feet in size) with a significant, catastrophic collapse in the center of the store. Firefighters from the initial arriving companies assisted in the evacuation and accounting of all of the store's employees and customers (approximately 70). Captain Daniels from the Pumper-Ladder also was able to safely ladder the building with his company's aerial ladder to recon the damage from above providing information and photography indicating the collapse was approximately 15,000 -25,000 square feet in size.

A well coordinated effort by the Firefighters working with officials from multiple agencies including; Avista, Public Works, City Building/Code Officials, building owners, Rosauers corporate representatives, URM, Western States Fire Protection and structural engineers were successful in mitigating the emergency and limiting any further damage to the store and its contents.

There was one minor injury to a civilian employee and no injuries to firefighters.

PROBABLE CAUSE: The incident's cause is under investigation, however heavy snow pack on the building's roof is considered to be a contributing factor.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Damage is significant. Access is being denied until the building owners' structural engineer can determine the integrity of the remaining structure in consideration of existing roof load and anticipated forecasted snow.
DOLLAR LOSS: 1,000,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 15
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE