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

ISSUING OFFICER: Jan Doherty / Public Education Officer
DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/28/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Information
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 44 W. Riverside Ave.
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201

NARRATIVE: Spokane-area fire and law enforcement personnel as well as representatives of the community will conduct a press conference on Wednesday June 30th at 10:30 AM regarding the 18th year of a complete ban on the individual use of fireworks in Spokane. The media event will take place near the Rotary Fountain in Riverfront Park.
The complete ban on the individual use of fireworks applies to the Cities of Spokane, Spokane Valley, Millwood, Liberty Lake, Cheney and the unincorporated areas of Spokane County. By State law, all firecrakers, bottle rockets and missiles are illegal throughout Washington State with the exception of designated tribal land on Indian Reservations.
The public is invited to attend festivities in Riverfront Park on July 4 and to enjoy the major fireworks display at 10 PM.

PROBABLE CAUSE: N/A
DAMAGE EXTENT: N/A
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE:
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

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

ISSUING OFFICER: AC Schaeffer
DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/28/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Information
INCIDENT ADDRESS: Downtown Event
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201

NARRATIVE: *** Hoopfest Update for June 26 & 27 ***

During Spokane's Hoopfest Event (www.spokanehoopfest.net), the world's largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament in Downtown Spokane, several strategically placed SFD PedMed Teams (SFD Paramedics on Bikes) responded to over 45 on-site medical emergencies and coordinated transport of 23 persons to area hospitals via American Medical Response's ambulances. No specifics are presently available regarding the age, gender, condition or affiliation of the ill and injured.

One high-profile multiple shooting incident was managed on Saturday by SFD Command Staff and Paramedics which resulted in the evaluation of three victims and ambulance transportation of two patients to Sacred Heart. Additional information on this incident can be obtained through the SPD's PIO Office.

The Spokane Fire Department is not offering an official attendance estimate for the two-day event, and is not aware of any pre-hospital loss of life formally associated with the event.

PROBABLE CAUSE: N/A
DAMAGE EXTENT: N/A
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE:
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

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

ISSUING OFFICER: Craig Cornelius / Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/26/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 2721 W. Lacrosse Ave
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99205

NARRATIVE: This evening (Saturday June 26, 2010) at 7:09 PM, 6 Companies of Spokane Firefighters; 3 Engines, 1 Heavy Rescue, 1 Senior Ladder and 1 Pumper Ladder responded to a reported fire at 2721 W. Lacrosse Ave. Fire Dispatch reported to the responding crews that there was a reported fire in the kitchen in the home at this location.

Spokane Fire Lieutenant Greg Borg, who lives in the neighborhood, recognized the address as it came over his home radio scanner. Lt. Borg ran down the street, located the home and made a quick knock down on the fire with a personal fire extinguisher.

Arriving firefighters from station 16 under the direction of Lt. Jason Reser were the first "on duty" firefighters to arrive at the scene. Engine 16's crew extended a hose line into the home for final extinguishment and checked for any additional fire extension.

The quick responses from Lt. Borg and E16s crew confined this fire to the stove/oven unit and some cabinet work in the kitchen. There were no injuries at this incident and the numerous cats living in the home were somewhat frightened, but unharmed. The cause of this fire was cooking related and accidental in nature.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Cooking / Accidental
DAMAGE EXTENT: Kitchen
DOLLAR LOSS: 3000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 22
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

The Fireworks Ban in Spokane is Working!

This July marks the eighteenth 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. Because of the ban on individual consumer fireworks, fireworks-related fires in the City of Spokane dropped from 1,044 in the ten years prior to the ban to just 46 in the ten years after the ban. In a similar manner, fireworks-caused injuries dropped from 290 to 37. In 2009, Spokane hospitals treated 6 injuries, with two of those injuries happening to teens in the City of Spokane and the others occurring outside Spokane County but treated in Spokane. One patient was severely burned and transported to Harborview in Seattle. Five fireworks-caused fires occurred in the City of Spokane last year. Most people understand and respect the purpose of the fireworks ban.

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.

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 United States, please contact the National Fire Protection Association at www.nfpa.org or our public education desk at jdoherty@spokanefire.org Violations of the Spokane-area ban can be reported to Crime Check at
456-2233.

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

ISSUING OFFICER: AC Schaeffer
DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/17/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Information
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 44 W Riverside
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201

NARRATIVE: The cause of the residential fire on June 11, 2010 at 1014 East Princeton Avenue has been ruled accidental by Spokane Fire Department's Special Investigation Unit. A child had found a disposable lighter and lit a bed sheet that was hanging in a doorway in the basement. The child and several family members were subsequently transported to the hospital where two were listed in serious condition and had lengthy stays in the ICU. As of this release, all of the victims have been released from the hospital.

PROBABLE CAUSE: N/A
DAMAGE EXTENT: N/A
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE:
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

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

ISSUING OFFICER: Bruce Moline/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/15/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Special Situation
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1401 E. 30th
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99203

NARRATIVE: On Monday June 14th, 2010 at 6:21 P.M. the Spokane Fire Department responded to a report of a vehicle that crashed into the side of an apartment complex located at 1401 E. 30th. Engine 11 from their neighborhood station at 32nd and Perry was first on the scene and discovered a small sedan that had crashed through the exterior wall of the Pineview Apartments located on the corner of 30th and Perry. After a quick assessment of the vehicle and tenants that were home inside the apartment, it was determined there were no injuries. However, the car was approximately halfway through the apartment unit. The Spokane Police Department assisted Engine 11's crew with making sure the occupants and other neighbors were O.K. and the vehicle was stable. After the electrical power was shut down and it was determined that the plumbing wasn't compromised, a tow truck was allowed to remove the vehicle from the apartment. 3 apartment units were roped off and these tenants were not allowed to occupy their apartment units due to the instability of the building. The Red Cross was summoned to take care of the displaced residents. It was reported that the cause of this collision was a driver who was unfamiliar with driving a "stick shift" transmission. The driver was attempting to exit the nearby garage and was unable to stop the vehicle before it struck the building.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Possibly due to being unfamiliar with operating a manual transmission.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The exterior of an apartment building received major structural damage from an impact caused by a vehicle. There was significant damage to the interior of the apartment unit consisting of electrical wiring, a window, an appliance, ceiling and counter tops.
DOLLAR LOSS: 30,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 4
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

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

ISSUING OFFICER: Bruce Moline/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/15/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 227 S. Helena
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99202

NARRATIVE: On Tuesday June 15th, 2010 at 4:57 A.M. the Spokane Fire Department responded 5 engine companies, 1 ladder company, a rescue unit and 2 battalion chiefs to a garage fire located at 227 S. Helena. Fire crews found a garage that was well involved in flames. No one was found in or near the garage and the flames were knocked down after 15 minutes. Another nearby outbuilding was successfully protected from the flames by using extra hose lines. The cause of the fire is under investigation at this time by the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit. There were no injuries to firefighters. A total of 21 firefighters responded to this alarm.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The garage and contents were heavily damaged by the fire.
DOLLAR LOSS: 30,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 21
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

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

ISSUING OFFICER: Craig Cornelius / Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/12/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1107 N. Freya
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201

NARRATIVE: This evening (Friday June 11, 2010) at 23:43 PM, 7 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 4 Engines, 1 Heavy Rescue, and 2-Senior Ladders responded to a reported fire at 1107 N. Freya (Blue Ribbon Linen Supply Inc.). This fire was called into Fire Dispatch by a WSP Officer who witnessed heavy black smoke coming from the structure.

Within three minutes of being dispatched, Engine 8 under the direction of Lt. Dan Awbery arrived on the scene and confirmed that they had a "working fire". Engine 8's crew set up "fire attack" and directed incoming crews in their firefighting assignments.

Firefighters brought this incident under control within 20 minutes of Engine 8's arrival. Heavy smoke damage occurred throughout, but there was minimal structural damage to the building itself. The fire was primarily confined to linens and clothing in large carts. Crews moved these carts to the exterior for final extinguishment. A fire cause has not been declared at this time.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Under Investigation
DAMAGE EXTENT: Smoke throughout structure. Fire Damage to numerous bundles of clothing in carts.
DOLLAR LOSS: 20,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 29
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

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

ISSUING OFFICER: AC Schaeffer
DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/11/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1014 East Princeton Avenue
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99208

NARRATIVE: This morning (Friday June 11, 2010) at 08:06 AM, 7 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 4 Engines, 1 Heavy Rescue, 1 Pumper-Ladder and 1-Senior Ladder under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Fielder and Cornelius, responded to a reported residence fire at 1014 East Princeton Avenue.

The first company arrived within 4 minutes and reported a two-story house with smoke showing from the roof. The home was a single family residence with multiple family members occupying both floors. When the first company arrived (Engine 15) they were met with a chaotic scene with civilians screaming to them that a child was located in the basement of the home. The information led the crew of Engine 15 to fight their way into the fire in an attempt at rescuing the small child. The four-person crew successfully located and rescued the child using a thermal imaging camera combined with great basic firefighting techniques. SFD Paramedics transported the child via AMR to a local hospital. Other family members, which were outside as Engine 15 and first-alarm companies arrived, also received advanced life support treatment from SFD Paramedics and subsequently transported to local hospitals for definitive treatment. The child and one adult were triaged as critical; two adults were triaged as serious and one adult was minor. A total of five patients were transported to hospitals by AMR from this incident.

The fire was brought under control within 30-minutes. Firefighters remained on scene for over three hours, protecting the homeowners belongings from additional damage during the salvage and overhaul operations. No firefighters were injured in this incident.

PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of this incident is under investigation by the SIU.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The basement is destroyed. First and second floors have varying levels of damage.

DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 25
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

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

ISSUING OFFICER: AC Schaeffer
DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/11/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Special Situation
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1014 East Princeton Avenue
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99208

NARRATIVE: Update For news media:

We are currently on the scene of a first alarm residence fire located at 1014 East Princeton Avenue. A staging area for media has been established at Princeton and Nevada and briefings are occurring there.

The alarm came in 0806. The first company arrived four minutes later to a two-story wood frame home with smoke showing from the roof and second floor. Based on information that a child was trapped inside, Engine 15 went directly through the fire to the basement and rescued the child (initial reports are 5-year old male). While the first alarm companies were fighting the fire, additional units were required to treat 4 additional patients involved in the incident. The child and one adult were triaged as critical; two adults were triaged as serious and one adult was minor. A total of five patients were transported by AMR with SFD Paramedics.

We are still on scene and expect to be here investigating the fire for several hours. Any questions, please call my cell 435-7002. Preliminary release, A/C Brian Schaeffer

PROBABLE CAUSE: Under Investigation
DAMAGE EXTENT: N/A
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE:
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

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

ISSUING OFFICER: AC Schaeffer
DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/11/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Special Situation
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1014 East Princeton Avenue
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99208

NARRATIVE: Update For news media:

We are currently on the scene of a first alarm residence fire located at 1014 East Princeton Avenue. A staging area for media has been established at Princeton and Nevada and brifins are occurring there.

The alarm came in 0806. The first company arrived four minutes later to a two story wood frame home with smoke showing from the roof and second floor. Based on information that a child was trapped inside, Engine 15 went directly through the fire to the basement and rescued the child (initial reports are 5-year old female). While the first alarm companies were fighting the fire, additional units were required to treat 4 additional patients invoved in the incident. The child and one adult were triaged as critical; two adults were triaged as serious and one adult was minor. A total of five patients were transported by AMR with SFD Paramedics.

We are still and scene and expect to be here investigating the fire for several hours. Any questions, please call my cell 435-7002. Preliminary release, A/C Brian Schaeffer

PROBABLE CAUSE: Under Investigation
DAMAGE EXTENT: N/A
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE:
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

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

ISSUING OFFICER: Bruce Moline
DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/9/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 428 E. Indiana
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99207

NARRATIVE: Late Wednesday evening on June 9th, 2010 at 11:34 P.M., the Spokane Fire Department responded to a report of a fire in an apartment house located at 428 E. Indiana. Engine 1 from their neighborhood fire station at Riverside and Browne was the first to arrive within minutes and found heavy smoke and fire enveloping the second floor of a one and a half story apartment house. An early call for an additional fire company was made given the large volume of fire and smoke coming from the structure. A rapid fire attack using Engine 7 and Engine 1 with hose lines, coupled with a rapid search for occupants using a Ladder and Pumper Ladder Company was coordinated on the second level of the building. At the same time, a ventilation team consisting of Ladder 1's crew was cutting open the roof overhead for the fire crews inside involved in the extinguishment and search efforts. Three adult occupants were found to be safe outside of the structure. A rapid knockdown of the flames was achieved after approximately 10 minutes. The fire was confined to the apartment unit on the second floor and portions of the roof. Fire crews were then busy with overhaul work which consists of searching out all areas within the building for hot spots. A top to bottom secondary search of the entire complex was also begun to confirm reports that all occupants were out of the building. The apartment unit and contents inside received a significant amount of fire and smoke damage.
The Red Cross was contacted to assist the occupants with shelter and belongings. There were two occupants displaced by the fire in the unit above and one occupant displaced in the unit below.
Three engine companies, two ladder companies, a pumper ladder company, a rescue unit and two battalion chiefs responded to this alarm. The Special Investigation Unit of the Spokane Fire Department remains on the scene and is currently working towards finding the cause of this fire. Due to the rapid advancement of hose lines and the vertical ventilation actions on the roof above, the fire was kept relatively small and the majority of the apartment house was saved. There was one injury to a civilian on this fire. He was one of the two occupants in the apartment unit on the upper floor and sustained a minor burn, some smoke inhalation and a laceration and was transported by AMR ambulance to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center. Fire crews remained on the scene throughout the rest of the night checking for hotspots and making sure the fire was extinguished. The Special Investigation Unit of the Spokane Fire Department is currently on the scene today and will be joined by various fire companies to complete the final overhaul of the premises. The cause of the fire remains to be undetermined at this time.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Undetermined at this time. Currently under investigation by the Spokane Fire Deparment Special Investigation Unit.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The second floor apartment unit received heavy fire and smoke damage.
DOLLAR LOSS: 40,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 22
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

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

ISSUING OFFICER: AC Schaeffer
DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/1/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Information
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 44 W Riverside
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201

NARRATIVE: It is with great sadness that I must report that the community has suffered our second fire-related fatality this year. On May 28, 2010 at 10:30 PM, Philip G. Gordon died as a result of injuries sustained in a 14' travel trailer fire that occurred on May 12, 2010 near the intersection of Smith/Sprague. Despite the SFD's quick actions extinguishing the fire, rescuing the victim and providing on-scene advanced life support with Paramedics, the victim succumbed to his injuries. The King County Medical Examiner listed the cause of death as multiple organ failure due to thermal burns present on 47% of his body.

While it still remains unclear what the precise material first ignited was, the likely cause of the fire was inappropriate use of a small catalytic propane-fueled heater that was routinely used by Mr. Gordon to cook/warm food. Possible intoxication and general housekeeping were also factors in the incident.

Despite the tragic news of Mr. Gordon's death, this is an opportunity to reinforce the message that residents should take the time (now) to check their smoke detector(s) and make certain that families have an escape plan. Practice the plan, practice fire safety and please call your Spokane Fire Department (625-7000) if you have any questions or need help.

PROBABLE CAUSE: N/A
DAMAGE EXTENT: N/A
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE:
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