North Battalion Apartment Fire
Incident #: 2013019415 Date of Incident: 05/08/2013 Issuing Officer: AC Schaeffer
Narrative:
On Wednesday May 8, 2013 at 3:31 PM, 6 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 1 Senior Ladder, 4 Engines, 1 Heavy Rescue under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Donahoe and Thompson were disparched to an apartment fire at 1208 East Nora.
While enroute to the incident, companies were notified by Fire Dispatch that an adult and small child from one of the apartment units were not accounted for and reportedly still inside the structure. The fire communication specialists handling the call updated the companies responding and advised the residents to evacuate and to alert their neighbors. The first in Chief also modified the response while en route and added another ladder company, two AMR ambulances and AMR supervisor.
The first unit arrived within 3-minutes to find a three-story house converted into an apartment building with heavy smoke and fire showing from the rear of the structure. The first arriving engine and ladder company went to work immediately upon their arrival and entered the building from the address side to perform a rapid search for savable victims. As companies arrived from multiple City Fire Stations, they were assigned to fireground tasks that included laying over 1000 feet of 5” supply line (large diameter hose) to the closest hydrants to secure enough water to contain the fire. Additionally, ladder companies used ground ladders to access the roof and ventilated above the fire to release intense heat and flames in attempt to create a safer atmosphere for the firefighters inside. Additional companies were assigned to support search for victims while placing large hoselines inside the building to suppress the fire and protect the firefighters as they searched through dense smoke and extreme heat for missing child and mother. Although the initial companies encountered intense fire behavior, extreme temperatures and multiple collapses from the third story and roof; they were able to successfully complete a search in the basement, first and second floors without locating the missing family members. Fortunately the family was located and accounted for just after the collapses had made the structure untenable.
Although the fire was moving quickly and was anticipated to spread to the adjacent homes, garages and cars; the swift and decisive action by all of the fire companies on scene allowed for the loss to be limited to only the building (1208 East Nora) and a garage behind the address. The fire was declared under control in three hours and four firefighters suffered injuries (1 burn and 3 heat-related illnesses).
Cause:
The cause is under investigation by the Fire Department's SIU.
Damage:
Structural loss to the building, as well as collateral automotive and content loss is still being tabulated. Seven adults and one child are not able to inhabit the building and are being assisted by the American Red Cross
# Firefighters Responding: 29
Other Agencies Responding:Spokane Police Department, American Medical Response, Avista
End Of Release For more information on this release please call (509) 625-7002
