Daylight savings time ends Sunday

 

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DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS SUNDAY

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When you change your clocks back to Standard Time this weekend, Spokane Fire Department asks you to also check the condition of your smoke alarms.

 

In the past, the slogan was “Change Your Clock / Change Your Battery!”  We now recognize the importance of also knowing the type of battery in the alarm and the age of the unit itself.

 

• Replace alkaline batteries in smoke alarms at least once a year or whenever they begin to chirp.
• When long-life lithium batteries chirp, it means the detector itself needs to be replaced.  Lithium batteries should last up to 10 years. All smoke alarms, whether hardwired into the electricity or simply battery-operated, must be replaced every 10 years.
• Determine the age of smoke alarms by looking for the date of manufacture on the back label of the alarm itself.
• When replacing smoke alarms, choose the PHOTOELECTRIC or dual-sensor PHOTO-ION type because they are significantly more effective at detecting smoldering fires than the more common ionization smoke alarms.

 

When you take time to turn your clock back one hour this weekend, please make time to also check on the condition of the smoke alarms in your home.  You need at least one working smoke alarm on each level of the house, one outside each sleeping area and one in each bedroom.

 

About 2,800 persons die in home fires in the U.S. each year.  Three of every five of these fatalities happened in homes that were not protected by a working smoke alarm. Remember to push the test button on your smoke alarms the first day of every month to make sure that everything is still connected with its power source.

 

For more information on smoke alarms, please call Spokane Fire Department at 509.625.7058.

 

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

No one injured by northwest apartment fire

 

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NO ONE INJURED BY NORTHWEST APARTMENT FIRE

FIRE DAMANGE CONTAINED TO GROUND-LEVEL UNIT

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Occupants of a northwest Spokane apartment building escaped a fire that damaged a ground-level unit and spread smoke throughout the rest of the building. The cause of the fire is under investigation and no injuries were reported.

 

Firefighters were called to the 700 block of west Glass Avenue just before 7 pm Wednesday. Callers reported that building residents living in units above the fire on the first floor were evacuating and that a disabled man resided in the unit that had the majority of the fire.

 

When the Spokane Fire Department arrived, companies quickly determined no occupants remained in the building and knocked the fire down within 20 minutes. Fire damage was primarily confined to one of the apartment units; however, there was smoke damage throughout the building.  

 

The Red Cross arranged for temporary housing for all of the occupants and the building remains on fire watch this morning.  It is anticipate that the majority of the building's occupants will be able to return by this afternoon.  

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

Hillyard fire claimms two cats

 

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HILLYARD FIRE CLAIMS TWO CATS

FAMILY SAFELY ESCAPES APARTMENT FIRE

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A family escaped injury this morning, but lost two cats in a fire that burned their Hillyard apartment.

 

A woman returned home to find her apartment rapidly filling with smoke about 11:30 am. A column of smoke could be seen as firefighters left Station 15 on east Wellesley. The fire originated in one unit of a three-unit complex and was beginning to extend into the attic space when firefighters arrived.

 

Firefighters searched each of the apartments to confirm that all residents made it out safely and worked for two hours to ensure the fire did not spread. The interior of the apartment where the fire originated suffered heavy smoke and fire damage that made it unsafe to occupy.  Total damage was estimated to be $25,000.

 

Investigators are working at the scene to determine a cause. The Red Cross responded to assist the two displaced occupants with lodging and personal needs.

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

Recreational fire restriction lifted

 

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RECREATIONAL FIRE RESTRICTION LIFTED

RESTRICTIONS HAD BEEN IN EFFECT ALL SUMMER

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The burn restrictions that were implemented on June 17^th, 2015, are being lifted effective today, October 23^rd, 2015.  Outdoor recreational fires, including campfires, are allowed in the City of Spokane, Spokane Valley, Airway Heights, Cheney, Liberty Lake, Millwood and throughout all unincorporated areas of Spokane County.  Citizens may also use backyard barbecues, chimineas, portable outdoor fireplaces or other patio/deck warmers, as long as approved fuel is used and other requirements are satisfied. 

 

Approved fuel includes seasoned (clean and dry) firewood, briquettes, propane, or natural gas. Outdoor burning for construction debris or yard waste disposal is illegal in the City of Spokane at all times. Bonfires or luau type pig roasts require a permit and fee from the Spokane Fire Department and the Spokane Regional Clean Air Authority.

 

Here are other requirements for outdoor fires:

 

• Fires must be in designated areas or on private property with owner approval.
• Fires must be attended by a responsible adult (knowledgeable in the use of the fire extinguishing equipment) at all times.
• Approved fire extinguishing equipment must be on hand and ready for use.
• Equipment can include a garden hose, dirt, sand, bucket, shovel, or a minimum 4A rated portable fire extinguisher.
• Adequate clearance from combustibles must exist.
• A minimum 25’ clearance to combustibles is required for campfires and fire pits.
• For one and two-family dwellings, follow the portable device manufacturer’s instructions for clearance.  Be safe and use good judgment.
• For multi-family dwellings, provide a minimum of 15-foot clearance from appliances to combustibles and structures.  Be safe and use good judgment.
• Fires must not present a health hazard or nuisance to others.
• Safe wind conditions (no more than 7-10 mph [DNR Guideline]) must be present.
• Burning may be temporarily restricted by Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency (SRCAA) due to increasing fine particle (smoke) levels and air stagnation. Check current status at https://www.spokanecleanair.org/current-burning-conditions . 
• Ash and charcoal remnants must be safely disposed of in noncombustible waste containers.

 

Fires not meeting the above listed requirements that are unsafe or otherwise restricted will be required to be extinguished.  Failure to comply with the recreational fire regulations are subject to a class 1 civil infraction, which carries a $513 fine in addition to other serious consequences.  A person who fails to take immediate action to extinguish or otherwise discontinue unauthorized burning when ordered to do so is subject to a misdemeanor charge.  That person can face an additional fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to 90 days in jail.

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

Fire forces six from west central home

 

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FIRE FORCES SIX FROM WEST CENTRAL HOME

NO ONE INJURED; FIRE BEGAN ON SECOND-FLOOR BALCONY

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Six people escaped injury when a fire on the second floor of a west central Spokane home forced them to evacuate early Sunday.

 

Flames were showing from the front of the home and extending into the attic when firefighters arrived just after 1 am. Firefighters searched the home and confirmed that three adults and three children had escaped the fire and made it safely out of the home.

 

Several units of the Spokane Fire Department worked for five hours to ensure the fire was extinguished and posed no threat to the nearby homes. The fire’s origin was determined to be a second-floor balcony on the front of the home. Investigators are planning to continue their investigation later today.

 

The second-floor living space and roof were severely damaged. Firefighters used tarps to keep personal belongings on the first floor from receiving extensive water damage. Total damage was estimated at $45,000.

 

The Red Cross responded to assist the displaced occupants with lodging and personal needs.

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

Firefighters evacuate four from duplex fire

 

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FIREFIGHTERS EVACUATE FOUR FROM DUPLEX FIRE

CAUSE OF FIRE UNDER INVESTIGATION

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​Spokane Fire Department investigators are trying to determine what started a fire that caused significant damage to a northeast Spokane duplex. Firefighters helped four people asleep inside the duplex evacuate the home without injury.

 

Fire crews were called to 511 E. Longfellow about 11:30 pm Saturday and found smoke and fire showing from the back of the structure. Fire was spreading into the attic when crews searched both sides of the duplex and found one individual in one side and two adults and one
child in the other. All were sleeping and unaware of the fire.

 

All of the occupants were safely evacuated and under the care of the Spokane Chapter of the American Red Cross. The fire was quickly extinguished. Damage was confined to the back of
the duplex and the attic and estimated at $50,000. 

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

South Hill family escapes bedroom fire

 

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SOUTH HILL FAMILY ESCAPES BEDROOM FIRE

WORKING SMOKE DETECTORS ALERTED FAMILY

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​Working smoke detectors alerted a South Hill family to a bedroom fire early this morning and helped them escape without serious injury.

 

The fire began in a bedroom occupied by a toddler, who was rescued by his father. The toddler was evaluated by Spokane Fire Department paramedics on scene and transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.

 

Firefighters were called to the home at 604 E. Seventh at 5:35 am and arrived within 7 minutes. The home was evacuated prior to the fire department's arrival and fire crews were able to confine the fire to the bedroom with no extension to other areas of the home.  The home did, however, suffer significant smoke damage.

Interviews with the occupants revealed that they were alerted to the fire by the smell of smoke as well as properly installed and functioning smoke detectors. The cause of the fire was determined to be combustibles too close to an electric baseboard heater.

The Spokane Fire Department would like to remind everyone that combustibles too close to heating devices are a frequent cause of residential structure fires.  The quick action of a parent alerted to the fire by a properly working smoke detector undoubtedly saved the life of the toddler.

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

Apartment fire displaces nine

 

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APARTMENT FIRE DISPLACES NINE

NO ONE INJURED, CAUSE UNDER INVESTIGATION

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​A midday apartment fire displaced nine people from their northwest Spokane units today. Firefighters contained the majority of the damage to a single unit and no one was injured.

 

Heavy smoke and fire were reported from the second and third floors of the apartments at 1521 N. Maple at 11:16 am. Units from the Spokane Fire Department and the Spokane Valley Fire Department responded jointly and were able to knock the fire down within about 20 minutes.

 

Six adults and three children are receiving assistance from being Red Cross. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

Small fire damages Juvenile Detention Center

 

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SMALL FIRE DAMAGES JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER

HEAVY SMOKE FORCES BRIEF RELOCATION TO JAIL

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​A small electrical fire in a mechanical room at the Juvenile Detention Center early this morning briefly relocated those housed there to the Spokane County Jail. No one was injured, but fire crews spent two hours ventilating smoke from the building.

 

A total of 34 Spokane Fire Department firefighters responded to the facility about 2 am. Jail staff reported heavy smoke on the first and second floor of the building.

 

While detention center staff moved occupants to an uninvolved area of the building firefighters located a small electrical fire in a mechanical room on the west end of the second floor of the building. Because the fire involved energized electrical equipment fire crews utilized dry chemical firefighting agents to extinguish it.

 

Fire damage was confined to the electrical circuits that control the buildings HVAC systems. Cause was determined to be an electrical malfunction.

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

National Fire Prevention Week begins Sunday

 

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NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION WEEK BEGINS SUNDAY

REMIDER TO CHECK SMOKE DETECTORS, CHANGE BATTERIES

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​The Spokane Fire Department invites you to participate in National Fire Prevention Week October 4-10 by making sure you have enough smoke alarms for the size of your home and the needs of your family members.

 

The theme this year, "Hear the Beep where you Sleep," is important because most deadly home fires occur between 11 pm and 7 am.  Every bedroom should be protected by a working smoke alarm.

Install at least one smoke alarm on each level of the home, outside each sleeping area and inside each bedroom. Check the back label on your alarms for the date of manufacture to make sure they are not more than 10 years old.

Look for the words "ionization" or "photoelectric" on the back labels.  Have at least one photoelectric alarm on each level of the home because it can detect a smoldering fire up to 40 minutes faster than an ionization smoke alarm.

If your ionization detector gives false alarms when you cook, replace it with a photoelectric model or move the ionization alarm at least 20 feet away from the stove.

Statistically, there will be at least 2,500 persons who will die this year in a home fire.  Three out of every five of these fatalities will happen in a household that is not protected with a working smoke alarm. 

 

Smoke alarms cut in half your chance of dying in a fire. Photoelectric smoke alarms with 10-year batteries and "hush buttons" to discourage false alarms can be purchased for less than $20.

If you have questions or concerns about smoke alarms, check with your local fire station or call Spokane Fire Department at 509.625.7058.

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org