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Unknown Powder at Federal Building Downtown

Incident #:  2012025236
Date of Incident:  6/19/2012
Issuing Officer:  Bruce Moline/Battalion Chief

Narrative:
At 11:40 A.M. on June 19th, 2012 the Spokane Fire Department responded with it's Hazardous Materials Team from Station 1 downtown along with additional fire crews to a report of an unknown powder substance at the Federal Building located at 920 W. Riverside. An employee inside the building had noticed this substance inside the women's bathroom on the first and sixth floors. Occupants were kept out of these general areas and the bathroom doors locked to isolate the incident. Federal Protective Services coordinated their efforts with the Fire Department and ensured the safety of all occupants. Once they arrived, the Spokane Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team donned their protective clothing and entered the structure making sure a "Hot Zone" was created. As the situation unfolded, it was reported that there may be another substance present on the 5th floor in a bathroom. After this third location was confirmed, The Haz Mat Team used their Mass Spectrometer instrument and were able to take samples and successfully identify all three substances found in each of the bathrooms. All substances were determined to be safe and ranged from "food additive" to "thickener" and "chalk". At this time, the building was turned back over for normal business. There were no injuries reported.

Cause:
Unknown powder substance present in three bathrooms on different levels of government building.

Damage:
No damage.

# Firefighters Responding: 12

Dollar Loss: $0

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Update on recent incidents

Incident #: 
Date of Incident:  6/18/2012
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
Updates on Recent Investigations: 2012024464 6/18/2012 11:41:40 Location: 7022 N COLTON ST The three alarm fire at the Autumn Ridge Apartments originated on the exterior balcony of apartment A205; a second level unit. The fire originated in combustibles located in the far south portion of the balcony. The vinyl siding contributed to the rapid laddering of fire to the soffits where it entered the attic. All sources of ignition were eliminated with the exception of smoking materials. The cause of the was Accidental. 2012024546 6/15/2012 05:27:32 Location 7101 N COLTON ST-CS. LOT J206 This was an unrelated fire to the third alarm, however it occurred in the same complex in building J, apartment J206. The fire was discovered by Engine 8 personnel while on fire watch at approximately 0500. The company saw a slight smoke column rising to the east of their location. Upon investigating, they identified that the smoke was coming from a second story apartment. The fire apartment was vacant, and being used by maintenance personnel as a location to store a few non operational appliances and general materials related to repair of the other apartments. The cause has been determined to be incendiary. 2012024834 6/16/2012 19:07:34 Location: 3417 W 6TH AVE-CS Vehicle mechanical failure resulting in a fire which spread to an detached garage and nearby trees. The cause has been determined to be accidental. 2012024871 6/17/2012 00:58:20 6220 N ASTOR ST-CS Residential fire resulting in a damaged interior. The cause was determined to be accidental and related to smoking materials.

Cause:
N/A

Damage:
N/A

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Early Morning Fire in the North Battalion

Incident #:  2012025038
Date of Incident:  6/18/2012
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
On Monday, June 18, 2012 at 4:23 AM, 6 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 1 Senior Ladder, 1 Heavy Rescue, 4 Engines under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Clive Jones and Dave Haworth, responded to a Structure Fire at 5510 West Woodside Avenue in Northwest Spokane. Spokane Firefighters arrived within 5-minutes to find heavy smoke and fire showing from the roof and garage of a single family house. They also reported that they had found the occupant of the home and that the patient was burned. The first arriving Chief declared a working fire which added an additional Senior Ladder company and AMR ambulance and AMR Supervisor. He also updated the situation as a rapidly progressing fire that had consumed the far west of the home and had extended to an adjacent home to the west. Fortunately, the second arriving company was Paramedic Engine E17 from the Indian Trail neighborhood. Their company began to immediately provide emergency medical care to the patient and transported the critical patient to a local Trauma Hospital. Once additional companies arrived, the firefighters commenced an aggressive attack on the fire in both homes with Engine Companies. The first arriving Ladder Company searched both of the homes for victims while the second arriving Ladder Company immediately laddered the roof and manually cut a ventilation hole above the fire. The well coordinated effort of firefighters confined flames to the primary structure (5510) and limited the damage into the adjacent home to the west to the attack and soffit areas. The fire was declared under control in 45-minutes and companies are still on scene conducting overhaul and salvaging resident's belongings. There were no injuries reported from either residents or firefighters.

Cause:
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Fire Department's SIU.

Damage:
There is significant structural damage and many contents have been damaged by the heavy smoke. Though loss from the fire was concentrated to the original building, the adjacent structure also suffered minor damage from the quickly progressing fire. Vehicles parked in the driveway were also destroyed. The occupant is being referred to the American Red Cross for interim placement assistance once released from the hospital as the structure is not inhabitable in its present state.

# Firefighters Responding: 24

Dollar Loss: $250,000

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Colton Apartment Fire

Incident #:  2012024464
Date of Incident:  6/15/2012
Issuing Officer:  Battalion Chief Clive Jones

Narrative:
On June 14, 2012 the Spokane Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in an apartment complex at 7022 N Colton Street. On scene personnel up graded the first alarm response to a second alarm response. The fire was up graded again to a third alarm by an arriving Battalion Chief. Twelve fire apparatus and seven command staff were on scene to battle this blaze. The fire was contained to five apartment units, with damage to two others. The attached apartment units to the North suffered minor damage. Fire crews were on scene through out the night. There were no injuries to residents, citizens, or firefighters on this fire scene.

Cause:
The fire is under investigation by the Fire Department's SIU

Damage:
Fire loss to five apartment units, minor damage to two others units.

# Firefighters Responding: 37

Dollar Loss: $250,000

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North Battalion House Fire

Incident #:  2012024346
Date of Incident:  6/13/2012
Issuing Officer:  Battalion Chief Mike Thompson

Narrative:
On Wednesday evening, 06/13/2012, at 6:53 PM the Spokane Fire Department responded to 4101 E Fredrick on a reported structure fire. The first crew on scene was Engine 2 from the Logan Neighborhood, who was returning from a Marine Rescue call on the Spokane River and stopped to investigate a smoke odor they detected. The Engine 2 crew had no Fire Officer on the Apparatus due to splitting crews for the previous rescue call. They discovered a room and contents fire on the back side of the single family residence. They ensured the resident was evacuated, turned in a full structure fire response, and extended pre-connected hose lines to prep the scene for an offensive interior fire attack, once backup arrived. Later arriving company's established a water supply, removed security bars from windows so they could be used for ventilation, and stretched more hose lines to provide back-up for initial crews. The incident was mitigated within 1 hour and there were no reported injuries to civilians or fire fighters. Six fire companies with 20 firefighters were dispatched to this incident.

Cause:
The cause of the fire was smoking related.

Damage:
The fire was confined to the bedroom of origin and with the exception of some water and smoke; damage to the structure was minimal.

# Firefighters Responding: 20

Dollar Loss: $10,000.

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2918 East Diamond

Incident #:  2012023195
Date of Incident:  6/5/2012
Issuing Officer:  Joel Fielder/Battalion Chief

Narrative:
Last night at 11:19 PM, June 5, 2012 the Spokane Fire Department responded to 2918 E. Diamond on a reported structure fire. The first crew on-scene reported a fully involved structure fire, with reports from the neighbors that some occupants were still inside the 2-story, wood-framed apartment building containing 2 apartments on the first floor and 2 apartments on the second floor. Fire fighters aggressively attacked the fire from the interior of the structure while additional fire crews completed a vent-enter-search tactic on two rooms on the 2nd floor at the front of the building. Within a matter of minutes the fire had spread from the first floor to full fire involvement of the 2nd floor and attic requiring a change from an interior (offensive) attack to an exterior (defensive) attack. Additional fire crews were called in due to a serious exposure hazard consisting of a 2-story apartment building located 6-feet to the west of the fire building. This exposure building was staffed with fire crews to prevent that structure from igniting due to the significant amount of radiant heat coming from fire building. The fire was brought under control within 2 hours and fire crews were on scene throughout the night to complete the salvage and overhaul process. Two adults and 2 children were transported to a local hospital and treated for smoke inhalation and one civilian was treated for a burn to his hand. In addition, one firefighter injured his arm during a search of the second floor. Six Engine companies, Two Ladders, a heavy rescue truck and 2 Battalion Chiefs were on scene during the initial operations of this incident. Red Cross arrived on scene and their initial assessment was 26 individuals will be relocated for the night. The Spokane Police Department was also on scene and provided traffic control and scene security during the operational period of this incident.

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

Damage:
The second floor and attic sustained significant fire damage with smoke and water damage to the rest of the structure. There was minimal heat damage to the exposure building to the west.

# Firefighters Responding: 31

Dollar Loss: $70,000

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1113 W. York

Incident #:  2012021672
Date of Incident:  5/26/2012
Issuing Officer:  Joel Fielder/Battalion Chief

Narrative:
Yesterday, May 26th, 2012, the Spokane Fire Department responded at approximately 6:30 PM to 1113 West York on a reported structure fire. The first crew on scene was Engine 3 from the local neighborhood fire station at Indiana and Ash. The Lieutenant reported a basement fire in a 1-story, wood framed residence. An aggressive interior attack by the first arriving crews confined the fire to the basement while additional fire crews completed search and rescue, ventilation and salvage and overhaul. The fire was brought under control within 30 minutes and there were no reported injuries to the occupants or firefighters. Six fire companies with 18 firefighters responded to this fire and were on scene for approximately 1.5 hours.

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

Damage:
Fire damage was confined to the basement with smoke damage through out the rest of the structure.

# Firefighters Responding: 20

Dollar Loss: $10000

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Conclusion of EMS Week

Incident #: 
Date of Incident:  5/25/2012
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer
Narrative:
Many are surprised to learn the Spokane Fire Department has been providing EMS first response for several decades. The SFD has remained the proud provider of first response Paramedic-level Emergency Medical Services (EMS) across what is now over a 70 square mile jurisdiction and home to over 210,000 residents. Tomorrow is the last day of National Emergency Medical Services Week and was not only an opportunity to affirm our long-standing commitment to EMS, but more importantly to applaud the less visible members of a national EMS system that seek to assure the comfort, recovery and survival of all who turn to them when afflicted with sudden illness or injury. This week, we proudly recognized the around-the-clock devotion of our Fire Department Dispatchers, SFD and AMR EMT's, SFD and AMR Paramedics, nurses, physicians, hospital technicians, INHS Paramedic School Faculty and our awesome support staff who work alongside us in the noble pursuit of providing quality pre-hospital emergency medicine. It is our hope that you will join us this week in reaching out to the providers of EMS in your community, not only to say thank you, but to allow them an ability to better understand your needs and concerns related to emergency health care.

            

     

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South Battalion Garage Fire

Incident #:  2012020857
Date of Incident:  5/21/2012
Issuing Officer:  Battalion Chief Mike Thompson

Narrative:
On Monday, 05/21/2012, at 03:45 AM The Spokane Fire Department responded 1 Ladder truck, 4 Engines, 1 Heavy Rescue, and 2 Battalion Chiefs to a reported structure fire at 2302 E Mission ave. Spokane Engine 2 from the Logan Neighborhood arrived within 3 minutes of the call to find a 2 car wood constructed garage with smoke and fire issuing from the front of the structure. Engine 2, after ensuring there was no one in the garage, advanced a hose off their apparatus and began to attack the fire. As additional companies arrived they began coordinated efforts to forcibly open all the doors, keep the fire from spreading, and removal of the smoke. The fire was quickly brought under control and was totally extinguished within 1 hour. There were no injuries to civilians or fire fighters.

Cause:
The cause is under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department SIU.

Damage:
Damage was extensive to the structure as well as a boat and other contents.

# Firefighters Responding: 20

Dollar Loss: $40,000.

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Vacant structure sustains heavy fire damage.

Incident #:  2012020707
Date of Incident:  5/20/2012
Issuing Officer:  Battalion Chief Steve Sabo

Narrative:
At 3:40 AM, Sunday morning, May 20th, the Spokane Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 2623 E. Sprague Ave. The first engine company on-scene reported a one-story brick and wood frame house with heavy smoke and flames on the exterior west side and extending into the attic. The incident was upgraded to a working fire, which added a second aerial ladder to the five engines, one ladder truck, one heavy rescue, and two chief officers already enroute or on-scene. Crews quickly forced entry into the structure and advanced multiple hose lines through the smoky conditions to locate and extinguish the rapidly advancing fire. In addition to fire attack and roof ventilation, crews performed a search of the building for any victims. The house, which had multiple additions, was determined to be vacant, and no victims were found. There were no injuries to firefighters at this fire. The Spokane Police Department closed Sprague Avenue and provided traffic control during the 5-hour duration of this incident.

Cause:
Investigators with the Spokane Fire Department's Special Investigation Unit completed their on-scene fire cause investigation and preliminarily determined the area of origin to be on the exterior. At this time the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Electricity and gas had been disconnected to the vacant structure.

Damage:
Damage was confined to heavy fire damage to the exterior siding and to the roof. There was also smoke, water and overhaul damage to the interior walls and ceilings.

# Firefighters Responding: 30

Dollar Loss: $40,000

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Astor Terrace Apartments

Incident #:  2012019605
Date of Incident:  5/13/2012
Issuing Officer:  Joel Fielder/Battalion Chief

Narrative:
Today, May 13, 2012, the Spokane Fire Department responded at approximately 3:16 PM to 406 East Montgomery on a reported structure fire. The first crew to arrive on scene, Engine 2 from the local neighborhood fire station, reported smoke showing from the roof of a 2-story- wood framed apartment building with a fire reported in a 2nd floor apartment. Engine 2 along with assistance from several neighborhood civilians, used ground ladders to rescue 2 trapped occupants from a window on the second floor. Firefighters from Engine 2 with the assistance from additional firefighters from Engine 3 then made entry into the structure and aggressively attacked the fire located in an apartment on the south east corner of the 2nd floor. Additional fire crews completed search and rescue, evacuation, ventilation and salvage and overhaul. The fire was brought under control within 30 minutes and there were no reported injuries to the occupants or firefighters. Nine fire companies with 31 firefighters responded to this fire and were on scene for approximately 3 hours.

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

Damage:
Fire and smoke damage was confined to the 2nd floor apartment.

# Firefighters Responding: 34

Dollar Loss: $20000

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Wellesley Gas Leak

Incident #:  2012019471
Date of Incident:  5/12/2012
Issuing Officer:  Battalion Chief Jones

Narrative:
May 12, 2012 at 3:03 PM, 6 companies of Spokane Firefighters, 4 Engines, 1 Heavy Rescue, 1 Hazardous Material Apparatus and 1 Ladder under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Green and Jones responded to a reported natural gas leak at 3008 E Wellesley Avenue. The first arriving company from the neighborhood fire station arrived within 3 minutes and reported a 1-inch gas line that had suffered a rupture due to hand excavation work. As additional companies arrived on-scene they rapidly deployed a hand line to provide protection to the workers in case of an explosion. Other companies were assigned to check the homes in the area for natural gas all foot traffic in the area was eliminate and a hot zone was established. Spokane Police were on scene for traffic control. The leak was mitigated within 30 minutes by SFD and Vista crews. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians.

Cause:
Excavation work over gas line

Damage:
Gas Line

# Firefighters Responding: 22

Dollar Loss: $2000

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Vehicle Extrication in the Indian Trail Area

 

     

Incident #:  2012018643
Date of Incident:  5/7/2012
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer
Narrative:
A three vehicle collision involving an STA bus brought morning traffic to a standstill in the southbound lanes of Indian Trail Road as SFD companies treated three patients, one of them with serious injuries. Engines 16 and 17 and the North Battalion Chief were all returning from a cardiac arrest incident in a nearby neighborhood just as the collision occurred; so their response time was only seconds after the call was dispatched. Due to an occupant being trapped from the collision, the incident was upgraded to an extrication response which added two additional Ladders and Heavy Rescue to safely manage the scene. Two of the injured were readily removed by firefighters from a mangled sedan, though one remained trapped, requiring rescuers to skillfully disentangle them from the wreckage with prying tools. All of the occupants on the STA bus were interviewed, however were not injured. The serious and moderately injured, described as two adolescents and one adult male, were transported with Fire Department Paramedics to area hospitals. The incident remains under investigation by Spokane Police Department.
Cause:
N/A
Damage:
Both vehicles appeared to be damaged beyond repair.
# Firefighters Responding: 14

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North Battalion Structure Fire

Incident #:  2012017964#
Date of Incident:  5/3/2012
Issuing Officer:  Battalion Chief Bill Donahoe

Narrative:
On Thursday May 3rd 2012 at 12:47 am, The Spokane Fire Dept responded one ladder, four engines, one heavy rescue and two Battalion Chiefs to a reported fire in a single family dwelling located at 1907 E. North Foothills Drive. The first arriving ladder officer reported smoke and intense heat on the second floor of the single family dwelling. Crews were assigned to attack the fire, search for occupants, and to ventilate the roof of the home. The quick actions of the crews resulted in the fire being confined to the bedroom of the second floor. The four occupants are being housed by the Red Cross until the home can be repaired. No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported.

Cause:
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department's Special Investigation Unit but appears to have started in the second floor bedroom.

Damage:
Direct fire damage was confined to the second floor bedroom with smoke damage to the entire second floor. The roof also sustained damage from the ladder crew performing the required vertical ventilation.

# Firefighters Responding: 22

Dollar Loss: $15,000.00

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Correct action taken prevents North Side Kitchen Fire.

Incident #:  --------------------------------
Date of Incident:  5/2/2012
Issuing Officer:  Battalion Chief Bill Donahoe

Narrative:
On Wednesday March 2nd 2012 the Spokane Fire Dept responded to a reported kitchen fire in a multi-family dwelling in Spokane. The potentially dangerous and expensive fire was prevented by an alert employee. The employee recognized the seriousness of the rapidly developing stovetop fire, called 9-1-1, then grabbed a kitchen fire (K-Class) extinguisher and quickly put out the flames. While the building was equipped with automatic fire sprinkler and alarm systems, the quick and correct response prevented this fire from growing to the point where the sprinklers were needed. Cooking fires are the #1 cause of residential fires in the U.S. Whenever someone is cooking, they need to remain at the stove. Never throw water on a grease fire or attempt to carry the burning pot or pan outside. The fire can quickly spread to clothing and hair, causing painful burns that can be life threatening. Be prepared to quickly extinguish a small fire by putting a lid on the pan to remove oxygen from the fire. It is important to also have an ABC fire extinguisher within easy reach of the stove.

Cause:
Cooking

Damage:
There was no structural damage to the kitchen of the multifamily dwelling.

# Firefighters Responding: 20

Dollar Loss: $0

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