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House fire displaces occupant

Incident #:  2011044184
Date of Incident:  10/30/2011
Issuing Officer:  Battalion Chief Steve Sabo

Narrative:
At 12:30 AM on Sunday, October 30, 2011 the Spokane Fire Department responded 4 engines, 1 ladder truck, 1 rescue truck and 2 Battalion Chiefs to a reported house fire at 1924 E. Sinto Ave. The first crew on scene reported moderate smoke from the open front door of a single family house. The lone occupant and owner of the house, an adult male, met the crew upon their arrival and informed them there was no one else inside the structure. He also reported the fire was in a back bedroom. While crews advance hose leads into the structure to attack the fire, other crews performed a search of the house to confirm there was no one trapped inside. The fire was knocked down within 10 minutes, but crews remained on scene for several hours removing burned contents and opening ceilings and walls, checking for any hidden pockets of fire. Damage to the house was extensive and will not be able to be occupied until repairs can be made. There were no injuries to the occupant or firefighters.

Cause:
The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time and is under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department's Special Investigation Unit.

Damage:
A bedroom and contents were totally destroyed by the fire, and the remainder of the house and contents suffered extensive heat and smoke damage.

# Firefighters Responding: 21

Dollar Loss: $50,000

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Update on Recent Incidents

Incident #: 
Date of Incident:  10/28/2011
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
The following is a clarification for the previous release for readability. The apartment fire at 43 E Weile Avenue on 10/21/2011 was determined to be Accidental and electrical in nature. The residential fire at 1724 East 1st Avenue on 10/22/2011 was determined to be accidental caused by cooking. The residential fire at 1717 South upper Terrace was determined to be accidental and electrical in nature. The commercial fire at the Liberty Motel at 6801 North Division was determined to be accidental from smoking materials. The residential fire at 1711 North Adams on 10/27/2011 was incendiary (purposely cause).

Cause:
N/A

Damage:
N/A

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Structure Fire at 1711 N. Adams

Incident #:  2011043827
Date of Incident:  10/27/2011
Issuing Officer:  Joel Fielder/Battalion Chief

Narrative:
On October 27, 2011 the Spokane Fire Department responded at approximately 3:32 PM to 1711 North Adams on a reported structure fire. Fire crews responding to this incident reported a column of smoke showing from several blocks away. The first crew arriving on scene reported a large volume of fire showing on the main floor of a one and a half story, wood framed single family residence. Fire fighters 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 brought under control within 30 minutes. Eight fire companies with 25 firefighters and 2 Battalion Chiefs responded to this fire and were on scene for approximately 2.5 hours. The structure was occupied at the time of the fire and there were no injuries to civilians or firefighters. Fire crews will remain on scene throughout the night.

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

Damage:
Fire damage was confined to the 1st and 2nd floor with heat and smoke damage through out the rest of the structure

# Firefighters Responding: 25

Dollar Loss: $80,000

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Vehicle Into Multi-Family Residence

Incident #:  2011043709
Date of Incident:  10/27/2011
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
On Wednesday October 26, 2011 at 5:08PM, a single Paramedic Engine was dispatched to a reported vehicle collision near the intersection of Maxwell and Post. On arrival, the company officer found and reported a passenger vehicle into an occupied apartment building. He subsequently upgraded the incident to include resources from the SFD Technical Rescue Team and the North Battalion Chief. The upgrade added the Senior Ladder, Heavy Rescue and Paramedic Engine from Station 4 under the direction of Battalion Chief Green. The impact from the vehicle had caused a breach of an exterior load-bearing wall to the lower level of the occupied two-story apartment building (one story above grade). The occupants were triaged by the initial company and one pediatric patient was identified, treated and transported to the hospital for evaluation of minor injuries. The vehicle's collision in the building fortunately missed the occupants of the affected apartment units as well as the building's natural gas line. SFD Technical Rescue team members were able to create a shoring system to assure the safety of the workers and facilitate the removal of the vehicle from the building. The incident was stabilized nearly three-hours after the arrival of the first company. No firefighter injuries or additional injuries to citizens occurred.

Cause:
SPD is handling the investigation.

Damage:
Areas of the building are untenable and the Inland Red Cross is assisting the occupants.

# Firefighters Responding: 11

Dollar Loss: $15000

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Child Rescued from Industrial Fall

Incident #:  2011043703
Date of Incident:  10/27/2011
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
On Wednesday October 26, 2011 at 4:43PM, 3 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 1 Senior Ladder, 1 Paramedic Engine and 1 Heavy Rescue under the direction of Battalion Chief Green responded to an EMS incident initially reported as a fall inside a building at 108 South State Street. On the first company's arrival, they were met by frantic family members that explained their 10 year old son had fallen through a floor in a warehouse which was closed for business. The child had fallen from an upper floor into the basement-level concrete floor which was accessed quickest by a below-grade rollup garage-style door. Members from arriving companies had to force entry into the reinforced exterior doors to make access to the young patient which had sustained obvious traumatic injuries from the fall. Due to the excellent coordination and care by firefighters, the child was: located, treated, removed and transported within a period of 13-minutes. The regional trauma system was activated from the scene by SFD Paramedics as per protocol and the child was subsequently transported by AMR. The child remains in serious condition and remains in the care of Sacred Heart Hospital at the time of this release.

Cause:
The cause appeared accidental by arriving Fire Department Officers.

Damage:
The building was vacant and reportedly scheduled for demolition.

# Firefighters Responding: 10

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North Battalion Motel Fire

Incident #:  2011043480
Date of Incident:  10/25/2011
Issuing Officer:  Battalion Chief Bill Donahoe

Narrative:
On Tuesday October 25th 2011 at 05:59 eight Companies of Spokane Firefighters, five engines, two senior ladders, one heavy rescue under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Donahoe and Cornelius responded to a reported fire at the Liberty Motel. The first arriving company reported heavy flame involvement to the front half of a single story, wood framed motel. It appeared the fire had extended into the common attic of the five unit motel. Crews were assigned to attack the fire in the affected room and to search for extension of the fire in the adjacent motel rooms. Other crews were assigned to search all the units along with ventilating the roof of the structure. The three residents staying in the motel made it out safely. The Motel Manager received first and second degree burns to his arms and hands after attempting to put out the fire with an extinguisher. The patient was then transported to Holy Family Hospital. No injuries to Firefighters were reported. Crews remained on scene for approximately six hours overhauling the fire. All five units of the affected building will be uninhabitable until major repairs are made. However, the rest of the Motel complex is open for business.

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

Damage:
There was extensive fire damage to the room of origin and the roof. The four surrounding motel units sustained damage to the ceilings while searching for extension of the fire in the attic area.

# Firefighters Responding: 28

Dollar Loss: $70,000

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Fire Station 2 Open House TODAY !!!

Incident #:  N/A
Date of Incident:  10/23/2011
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
Station 2's Open House is today from 11:00 AM to 1:00PM ! Come and visit Station 2 at 1001 East North Foothills in Spokane. See the apparatus, the boat and other specialized equipment while visiting your firefighters and neighbors.

Cause:
N/A

Damage:
N/A

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Rockwood Neighborhood Fire

Incident #:  2011043222
Date of Incident:  10/22/2011
Issuing Officer:  Bruce Moline/Battalion Chief

Narrative:
At 7:00 P.M. on Saturday October 22nd, 2011 the Spokane Fire Department responded to a report of a house fire at 1717 S. Upper Terrace in the Rockwood Neighborhood. Engine 9 from their neighborhood station location at 18th and Bernard was the first crew to arrive. Upon entry to the home, they noticed a smoke haze on the second level of the home and after inspecting the attic area, they found a fire that was burning above the bathroom, office and bedroom areas. A rapid stretch of hose was accomplished along with accessing the roof for vertical ventilation and an aggressive offensive attack was deployed. Both occupants had safely made their way out of the home on their own. The lath ceiling needed to be removed in order to thoroughly expose all of the flames for extinguishment. Once this was done, fire crews could witness burning structural supports along with insulation also being consumed in the fire. A knockdown of the fire was completed after 10 minutes. Shortly after this, much time was spent in the overhaul process which consisted of debris removal and making sure the fire was dead out. The cause of this fire is unknown at this time, however appears to be electrical in nature. The fire is under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit.

Cause:
Under investigation at this time by the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit.

Damage:
The attic sustained significant damage from the fire including structural supports, wiring and insulation. There was also moderate smoke damage throughout the home.

# Firefighters Responding: 19

Dollar Loss: $20,000

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Structure Fire

Incident #:  2011042878
Date of Incident:  10/21/2011
Issuing Officer:  Battalion Chief Dan Brown

Narrative:
On October 20th at 11:40 pm the City of Spokane Fire Department responded to 3017 East Broad for a reported structure fire. Engine 15 responded from the station at Wellesley and Crestline in less than two minutes and reported smoke showing from the front door, an attack lead from Engine 15 was advanced inside and the fire was quickly extinguished. Other incoming fire companies searched the residence and provided ventilation and overhaul. The fire was confined to a small area in a wall behind a pellet stove and light smoke on the main floor. The fire was extinguished in ten minutes All family members were outside when the Fire Department arrived and no injuries were reported. The cause of this fire was the pellet stove not operating properly.

Cause:
Pellet Stove no working pproperly

Damage:
Small area of wall behind the stove. Light smoke main floor

# Firefighters Responding: 18

Dollar Loss: $1500.00

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Marine Rescue, North Battalion

Incident #:  2011042801
Date of Incident:  10/20/2011
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
On Thursday October 20, 2011at 12:34PM, Engine 8 was dispatched to a reported injury accident near the intersection of East Upriver and North Ralph Street. Engine 8 arrived on the scene within 4-minutes and reported a vehicle that had left the roadway and was partially submersed in the Spokane River. The alarm was upgraded to a marine rescue which added 6 additional Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 2 Paramedic Engines, 2 Heavy Rescues and both marine companies (Water 2 and Water 16) under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Cornelius and Brown. Firefighters arrived quickly and assembled both of the special operations teams to rescue one male occupant and prepare a technical rescue system to extricate him from the river's edge. The Marine Rescue Team also provided a quick search of the submersed vehicle and the close area for other possible occupants involved in the crash. The victim was successfully extricated and transported to Sacred Heart within 30-minutes. The victim was a 42-year old male that was reportedly hypothermic and suffered traumatic injuries considered critical by Fire Department Paramedics. There were no additional injuries to civilians or Firefighters.

Cause:
The incident is under investigation by SPD.

Damage:
N/A

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North Battalion House Fire

Incident #:  2011042546#
Date of Incident:  10/18/2011
Issuing Officer:  Battalion Chief Bill Donahoe

Narrative:
On Tuesday October 18th 2011 at 18:40, four engine companies, one senior ladder, one heavy rescue under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Green and Donahoe responded to a Structure Fire at 3004 North Hogan. Firefighters arrived to find smoke emitting from the roof eves of a story and a half residence. A quick search was made of the residence and it was determined everyone safely exited the structure. Engine companies made a quick attack of the fire on the first and second floor while the Ladder Company provided ventilation of the roof and searched for extension of the fire. Companies remained on scene for 2 hours overhauling the fire. No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported.

Cause:
The cause of this fire appears to be a failure of the wood stove vent pipe.

Damage:
There was extensive fire and smoke damage to the 2nd floor and roof along with moderate fire and water damage to the first floor.

# Firefighters Responding: 20

Dollar Loss: $30,000.00

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Structure Fire

Incident #:  2011042114
Date of Incident:  10/15/2011
Issuing Officer:  Joel Fielder/ Battalion Chief

Narrative:
On October 15, 2011 the Spokane Fire Department responded at approximately 7:28 PM to 717 East Rich on a reported structure fire. The first crew on-scene reported smoke showing at the at the roof lines at the front and back of the one and a half story, wood- framed, single family residence. Fire fighters aggressively performed an interior attack on the fire while additional fire crews completed search and rescue, roof ventilation, salvage and overhaul. The fire was brought under control within 30 minutes. Seven fire companies with 22 firefighters and 2 Battalion Chiefs responded to this fire and were on scene for approximately 2.5 hours. The structure was vacant and secured at the time of the fire and there were no injuries to civilians or firefighters.

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

Damage:
Fire damage was confined to the 1st and 2nd floor with heat and smoke damage through out the rest of the structure.

# Firefighters Responding: 24

Dollar Loss: $20000

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Mark your calendar, ALERT Spokane Test

Incident #:  N/A
Date of Incident:  10/11/2011
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
Testing of ALERT Spokane, the emergency notification system will occur on October 17, 18, 19 between the hours of 9am and 8:30 pm. Test calls may be received on landline phones, self-registered cell phones or self registered VoIP phones. The message will be: "This is ALERT Spokane, the community emergency notification system. This is a test, please do not hang up. We are conducting a test of ALERT Spokane throughout the Spokane County area. In the event of an emergency ALERT Spokane could be used to alert you to take action or evacuate. Thank you for your cooperation." ALERT Spokane is used to send a telephone message to residents and businesses within the county that are impacted by, or in danger of being impacted by an emergency or disaster. To self-register your cell phone or VoIP phone, please go to our website www.alertspokane.org Additional information about ALERT Spokane is also available on our website at www.alertspokane.org.

Cause:
N/A

Damage:
N/A

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Fire Prevention Week

Incident #:  N/A
Date of Incident:  10/7/2011
Issuing Officer:  Jan Doherty/Public Education Officer

Narrative:
Fire Prevention Week: October 9-15 It's time to celebrate National Fire Prevention Week and take action with the 2011 theme of "Protect Your Family from Fire!" (1) Know how to read the BACK LABEL of your smoke detector to discover how old it is. No smoke detector is reliable more than 10 years from its date of manufacture. This is true both for hardwired detectors and for the battery-only type. If the siren still alarms, that only means the horn works when you push the button. It does not mean the detector can alert you in an actual fire. Spokane Fire Department recently found a smoke detector in an apartment that was manufactured 3/21/80. While the beeper still worked, every family that has lived in that unit has been at risk for the past 21 years. (2) While you are reading the detector label, notice whether your units are ionization, photoelectric or a combination photo-ion. We now understand how important it is to have at least one PHOTOELECTRIC detector on each level of the home. Otherwise, the more common ionization detector (the kind that often beeps when people are cooking or taking a shower) may not sound any alarm in a slow-burning, smoldering type of fire such as those that may start from smoking materials or old and damaged wiring. More people die from smoke than from flame. (3) Put a check mark on the 1st of every month in your calendar to remind you to test your detectors to assure the batteries are still connected and working. Spokane nearly lost a family of 6 to a house fire this summer when the smoke detectors failed to alarm. The battery was not connected correctly and the residents had never checked to see whether the detector installed by their landlord actually sounded. (4) If you rent your home, be sure to carry renter's insurance. Monthly rates run about $12. Approximately $150 in annual premium far outweighs the cost of personal losses from a fire or personal liability from property damage accidentally caused by you or a family member. (5) Use a timer every time anyone in the household begins to cook. Keep a pan lid handy whenever anyone is frying food in order to quickly smother small grease fires. Baking soda is a good second choice for a stovetop fire. Unattended cooking is the #1 cause of house fires in the United States. (6) Conduct a home fire drill so that each family member understands how to safely get out of every room in the house and gather outside at the meeting place in front of the home. Please call Spokane Fire Department at 625-7058 or visit your neighborhood fire station if you have more fire prevention questions!

Cause:
N/A

Damage:
N/A

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Apartment fire on Spokane's lower south hill

Incident #:  20110040739
Date of Incident:  10/6/2011
Issuing Officer:  Battalion Chief Steve Sabo

Narrative:
At 5:18 AM, October 6, 2011, the Spokane Fire Department responded to a reported fire at 1314 W. 5th Avenue on Spokane's lower south hill. Engine and Ladder 4 arrived first on-scene from their Browne's Addition station within four minutes and reported heavy smoke and fire from the basement and first floor of a large two and one-half story wood frame apartment house. As additional fire crews and command staff arrived, they were assigned to the multitude of tasks that needed to be completed at a fire in this type of construction and occupancy. While crews were stretching hose leads to multiple floors in an attempt to cut off the fire's advance, other crews were searching the entire structure for victims. Fortunately, all occupants had safely exited the smoke-filled building. The fire, which started in the basement, travelled up through an interior wall and was burning into the first and second floors, where crews were able to extinguish the fire before it got into the attic. Fire crews will remain on-scene throughout the morning completing overhaul of the burned area and conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire. Although damage to the structure and contents was moderate in extent, the integrity of the utilities within the structure was compromised. As a result, none of the occupants will be able to inhabit their apartments until repairs and inspections can be made. The Red Cross is assisting as many as eighteen displaced occupants, including at least one family with children. In all, two ladder trucks, five engines, one heavy rescue and two battalion chiefs responded to this fire. There were no reported injuries to occupants or firefighters.

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

Damage:
Damage to the structure was confined to a basement wall and a first floor wall and floor area, with smoke damage on all but the third floor.

# Firefighters Responding: 29

Dollar Loss: $10,000

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Multi-family residence damaged by fire

Incident #:  2011040083
Date of Incident:  10/1/2011
Issuing Officer:  Battalion Chief Steve Sabo

Narrative:
At 10:47 PM on Saturday October 1st the Spokane Fire Department dispatched four engines, two ladder trucks, a heavy rescue truck and two Battalion Chiefs to a reported structure fire at 1203 E. Mission. Ladder 2 arrived on scene within five minutes and reported light smoke from the two-story wood framed house. As the front door was forced open, moderate smoke and heat vented as crews entered to search the structure for victims and to locate and extinguish the fire. It was determined the house was divided into separate living areas on each level including the basement, for a total of three residences. All occupants of the structure were confirmed to have either exited the structure or to not be present at the time of the fire. The fire was located and confined to a corner of the living room in the main floor residence. It was quickly knocked down, but not before the main floor unit sustained heavy smoke damage. The main floor and second floor units were rendered uninhabitable due to smoke and fire damage. Additionally, electrical service to the entire structure was disconnected due to fire damaged wiring. A total of six adults and four children were displaced from the house and are staying with friends or relatives. There were no injuries to occupants or firefighters.

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

Damage:
Damage was confined to a living room wall and ceiling, with smoke damage throughout the main floor unit. The upstairs unit received minor wall and ceiling damage as crews checked for fire extension.

# Firefighters Responding: 25

Dollar Loss: $12,000

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