By Brian Schaeffer, Assistant Chief Spokane (Wash.) Fire Department
Spokane Fire Department was dispatched to an apartment fire located at 164 South State Street at 0453 on Sept. 21. 911 and Fire Dispatch was inundated with simultaneous calls from residents and others reporting the rapidly progressing fire in the 3-story apartment building. Dispatchers reported that calls were received from tenants stating they were trapped and could not escape. The first fire company arrived within 4-minutes (0457) and reported heavy smoke and flames visible from the basement of the building and that it appeared to be extending to multiple floors. According to witnesses and Fire Officers, multiple tenants were visible through the smoke hanging out of their windows screaming for help. At least two vic tims had jumped from their apartment prior to the Fire Department’s arrival. As companies began arriving, the incident commander (IC), Battalion Chief Ken Kirsch, reported a working fire due to the fire’s progress and need for resources. This action resulted in the addition of an additional senior ladder, one pumper/ladder and multiple chief officers. Battalion Chief Bruce Moline was also on scene directing the tactics and individual efforts of the companies. Engine companies were immediately utilized to attack the fire and provide safety for the remaining tenants while allowing a tenable area to facilitate a search for victims. Ladder companies were directed to facilitate rescues from victims visible in windows.
Two senior ladder companies were directly responsible for six (6) documented rescues with ground ladders and aerial devices. An engine company was also responsible for rescuing one resident located in the basement apartment near to what was believed to be the fire’s origin. Due to the incident’s geographic location and copious amount of dense smoke throughout the neighborhood, many tenants walked to different areas after they had been evacuated. This proved to be very challenging for the on-scene personnel and resources. Paramedic Engine Companies had to be sent to identify and treat those tenants in multiple locations (sometimes blocks from the incident). It was estimated that approximately eight to ten residents received medical evaluations post-incident. At the time of this release, firefighting efforts have ceased, however companies will be on scene most of the afternoon performing salvage, overhaul and assisting our Fire Investigators. There were three tenants transported to local hospitals with serious injuries and one tenant transported with critical injuries due to circumstances of the incident. No firefighters were injured. The Spokane Police Department arrived within 3-minutes of the 911 reports and was also instrumental in a ssisting the evacuation of tenants and aiding residents that jumped from their windows. The Spokane Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting the tenants with accommodations, clothing and the process of recovery.
Cause :
The cause of this incident is under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department. At the time of this release, investigators are on-scene conducting interviews and examining physical evidence.
Damage :
Damage to the basement and first floor apartments are considerable. A damage assessment is expected this afternoon and we will follow up with that information as it becomes available.
Firefighter Response: 36