Vacant house fire under investigation

 

 

Vacant house fire under investigation

 

A fire at a vacant house remains under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department’s Special Investigation Unit.

 

Just before 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning, the Spokane Fire Department responded to the 2000 block of W. Augusta Ave. on a report of a residential structure fire. The first arriving crew reported moderate smoke conditions from the front of the house with smoke showing from the eave lines of the home.

 

Firefighters immediately conducted an aggressive coordinated attack and brought the fire under control within five minutes. The house was reported vacant, but a primary search was conducted to ensure no one was inside the structure. 

 

No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported.

 

The fire caused moderate damage to the kitchen area and attic structural members along with smoke damage throughout the structure.

 

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Michele Anderson | Public Safety Communications Manager
Spokane Police Department | Spokane Fire Department

cell 509.742.0063 | office 509.622.5868 | mlanderson@spokanecity.org

 

Following a few safety tips helps for a safe, happy holiday season

 

 

Following a few safety tips helps for a safe, happy holiday season

 

December is the peak time of year for home candle fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, in December 11% of home candle fires began with decorations compared to 4% the rest of the year.

 

“The holidays present great potential for candle-related home fires,” says Spokane Fire Marshal Michael Miller. “Statistics show the top three days for home candle fires are Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.”

 

Residents must remember that while candles bring an added element to holiday celebrations, the open flame of a candle can easily and quickly ignite any combustible that is close by such as curtains, draperies, bedding and holiday decorations.

 

The Spokane Fire Department (SFD) suggests the following safety tips to help avoid a candle-related holiday tragedy from occurring:

 

• Use battery-operated flameless candles as an alternative to traditional open flame candles.
• If you do use candles, ensure that they are placed in sturdy holders.
• Use candles in sturdy metal, glass or ceramic holders that are placed where they won’t tip over easily. Be sure they are large enough to collect dripping wax.
• Never use candles on live or artificial Christmas trees.
• Keep candles away from items that can catch fire such as holiday decorations, curtains and draperies, bedding, clothing, books, etc.
• Always extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Never leave your home with candles burning, and do not leave candles burning unattended.
• Keep candles and all open flames away from flammable liquids.
• Keep candle wicks trimmed to one-quarter inch, and extinguish taper and pillar candles when they get to within two inches of the holders. Votive candles and containers should be extinguished before the last half-inch of wax starts to melt.

 

The Spokane Fire Department would like to wish everyone a safe holiday season. For more information on holiday fire safety tips contact SFD’s Fire Prevention Bureau at 509-625-7058.

 

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Michele Anderson | Public Safety Communications Manager
Spokane Police Department | Spokane Fire Department

cell 509.742.0063 | office 509.622.5868 | mlanderson@spokanecity.org

 

Be warm and safe this winter

 

Be warm and safe this winter

 

With colder temperatures, the Spokane Fire Department (SFD) wants residents to be warm and safe this winter.

 

“During this time of the year, we see residents searching for alternative sources of heating,” says SFD Fire Marshal Michael Miller. “The Spokane Fire Department wants residents to keep warm safely and maintain a fire-safe home this winter. Many fires during the colder months can be prevented.”

 

Below are a few safety tips to follow:

 

• Alternative heaters need their space. Keep anything combustible at least 3 feet away.
• Be sure your heater is in good working condition. Inspect exhaust parts for carbon build up. Be sure the heater has an emergency shut off in case the heater is tipped over.
• Use a generator or other fuel-powered machines outside the house. Carbon Monoxide fumes are odorless and can quickly overwhelm you indoors.
• Use appropriate sized and type power cords to carry the electric load. Overloaded cords can overheat and cause fires.
• Do not use the kitchen oven range to heat your home. In addition to being a fire hazard, it can be a source of toxic fumes. 
• Never use fuel burning appliances without proper room venting. Burning fuel can produce deadly fumes.
• Have a chimney professionally inspected annually and cleaned if necessary, especially if it has not been used in some time.
• Before you go to sleep, be sure your fireplace fire is out. Never close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper can help rekindle the fire, forcing toxic carbon monoxide into the residence.
• Never discard hot ashes inside or near the home. Place them in a metal container outside and well away from the house.
• Be sure every level of your home has a working smoke alarm. All smoke alarms should be tested monthly.

 

For more information about fire safety contact SFD’s Fire Prevention Bureau at 509-625-7058.

 

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Michele Anderson | Public Safety Communications Manager
Spokane Police Department | Spokane Fire Department

cell 509.742.0063 | office 509.622.5868 | mlanderson@spokanecity.org