Separate fires damage several structures

 

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SEPARATE FIRES DAMAGE SEVERAL STRUCTURES

VACANT BUILDING, GARAGES AND HOME ALL DAMAGED

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The Spokane Fire Department is investigating the causes of fires that damaged three separate garages in northeast Spokane and a vacant commercial building on the South Hill during a day in which multiple fires kept crews busy all over the city. One firefighter suffered a minor injury during a third fire that damaged a home on the north side.

 

Investigators believe the garage fires in the 1900 block of East Bridgeport Avenue may have been intentionally set. Firefighters responded just after 6 am and were able to contain the damage to the garages and some nearby material. Off-duty personnel had to be called in to assist as a three-alarm fire in a vacant two-story commercial building, formerly known as Studio K at 2810 E. 29^th Ave., had firefighters tied up for several hours.

 

That fire, which was reported at 2:35 am, took city crews six hours to extinguish and required assistance from the Spokane Valley Fire Department and Spokane County Fire District 8. Fire loss is still being determined and the cause is under investigation.

 

Later in the day, firefighters were called to a home at 517 E. Hoffman Ave. Heavy smoke was coming from the basement when crews arrived. Firefighters put out the fire within 30 minutes and determined the cause to be an overloaded circuit. One firefighter was treated and released for a moderate injury suffered while fighting the fire. Residents were able to return to the home later in the 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

      

 

Fire damages two apartment buidings, home

 

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FIRES DAMAGE TWO APARTMENT BUILDINGS, HOME

NO ONE INJUED IN MORNING FIRES

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The Spokane Fire Department is investigating fires that damaged an abandoned home and two apartment buildings this morning. No one was injured by any of the fires and all were quickly extinguished by firefighters.

 

A firefighter on his way to work noticed the fire at an abandoned home at 811 W. 13^th just after 7 am. The house was boarded up and firefighters had to force their way into the home, but quickly got it under control. The cause is under investigation.

 

About two hours earlier, a malfunctioning wall heater sparked a fire on the second floor of the Ambassador Apartments, 1819 W. Pacific Avenue. An automatic alarm summoned firefighters and signaled occupants to evacuate the building. Firefighters extinguished the fire within 30 minutes and determined that the fire started when the heater malfunctioned.

 

Firefighters are also investigating the cause of a fire in the laundry room at the Father Bach Haven, 108 S State Street, about 2:45 am. Heavy smoke was coming from the third floor when firefighters arrived. The building sprinkler system was controlling the spread of the fire and all of the residents safely evacuated. 

 

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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

      

 

Change your clocks and check your detectors

 

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CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS AND CHECK YOUR DETECTORS

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When you move your clocks ahead one hour to begin Daylight Savings Time this Sunday, March 13, please remember to also check the condition of your smoke detectors.  Two out of three home fire deaths happen in households without working smoke detectors!

 

This weekend:

 

·         Look at the label on the back of your smoke detectors to find the exact date of manufacture and then determine whether they are less than 10 years old.  All smoke detectors, whether hard-wired into the electricity or screwed into the ceiling, must be replaced every 10 years.

·         Also locate the word ionization or photoelectric on the back labels.  Make sure you have at least one photoelectric detector on each level of your home.  In a smoldering fire, photoelectric detectors can sound an alarm up to 40 minutes faster than ionization models.

·         Push the test button on your detectors to determine whether the units are correctly connected to power.

·         Replace alkaline 9-volt batteries on your smoke detectors. Alkaline 9-volt batteries should last 1 year.

·         Know whether you have alkaline or lithium batteries. Lithium batteries can last up to 10 years.

·         If you have problems with “nuisance alarms” when you cook or when someone takes a shower, replace ionization detectors within 20 feet of the kitchen or bathroom with photoelectric units. Photoelectric detectors seldom give a nuisance alarm.

·         Help your neighbors check the condition of their detectors if they are not able to safely reach them to replace batteries or detectors.

·         If you have questions on smoke detectors, please call Spokane Fire Department at 625-7000 or visit your neighborhood fire station.

 

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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