2nd Alarm Fatal Fire In Brownes Addition.

Brownes Additon Fire

Incident #: 2011033592
Date of Incident: 8/21/2011
Issuing Officer: Craig Cornelius / Battalion Chief

Narrative:
This evening August 21st 2011, at 19:58 hours the Spokane Fire Department dispatched 5 Engines, 3 Ladders, 1 Heavy Rescue and 2 Chief Officers to a reported fire at 1914 W. 1st Ave. Additional apparatus were sent in this first initial dispatch due to multiple 911 calls and reports of people trapped inside the structure. Engine 4 from the Browne's addition fire station, arrived a little over two minute from dispatch. Engine 4 under the direction of Lt. Dan Renner reported heavy fire showing from the second floor of a 3 story, wood frame residential with occupants stranded on the front roof. E4 assigned incoming apparatus to provide for an interior fire attack and to search for additional persons that were reported to be inside. Neighbors along with Firefighters from Engine 4 placed ladders to the front of the house to rescue stranded residents that were trapped by the developing fire. As additional fire crews arrived, they were sent into the structure to search for additional residents. The older home had been converted into roughly 9 residential units and the fire had substantial control of the second floor and the narrow stairways leading to the 3rd floor unit. Firefighters fought their way up the stairs extinguishing fire and searching for additional fire victims as they advanced. Interior crews were reporting intense heat as they made their way through the 2nd floor and narrow stairway that led to the top floor. Ladder 1's crew attempted to release some of the crippling heat on the upper floors through cutting holes in the roof. A medical group was established to provide medical care. Two residents were treated for smoke inhalation and transported to the hospital. Search crews made it to the 3rd floor, but progress was stopped due to the massive amount of heat, flames, and poor access through a very narrow stairway. Command backed the interior crews down and used a "deck gun" on the top of Engine 4 to help darken the fire from a different attack position. The deck gun was deployed for approximately and minute and then fire crews were transitioned back into the interior of the structure to continue searching and extinguish the fire. As crews gained control of the third floor, they found a male fire victim that had succumbed to the fire. The fire cause is still under investigation at this time. Fire investigators will continue with their investigation on Monday. Red Cross is assisting approximately 10 adults that have been displaced by the fire. A total of 35 firefighters and 6 chief officers responded to this incident.

Cause:
Cause is still under investigation.

Damage:
Smoke throughout. Heavy fire damage 2nd and 3rd floor.

# Firefighters Responding: 35

Dollar Loss: $85000

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• 2nd
• Alarm
• Fatal
• Fire
• In
• Brownes
• Addition
• Spokane
• Washington
• Police