City Of Spokane: East Fairview Residential Fire

Spokane WA

14 January, 2022

6:45 PM

Description

Press release from the City of Spokane: 2022-01-14 Yesterday at 12:55 PM, the Spokane Fire Department (SFD) responded to the 3700 block of East Fairview Avenue to a report of smoke in a home. This incident was the second working fire for the shift, and some companies were returning and nearby when dispatched.  The first company arrived in under two minutes and met the resident outside the home. She explained that smoke and a significant amount of heat was coming from walls adjacent to the fireplace on the main floor. Companies entered the structure with hose lines and tools and accessed the quickly moving fire by opening the fireplace walls.  Once opened, firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and confined it to the first floor walls and fireplace area. The overhaul and salvage work performed by first-arriving companies limited the fire's loss and protected the home's contents. The cause of the fire was determined to be a fire in an unkept fireplace. This property did not have power activated to the structure and the occupant was maintaining heat by burning fuel in the fireplace. The sole occupant evacuated the structure safely, and there were no reported injuries to the occupant or firefighters. The Greater Inland Northwest Red Cross is assisting the occupant in finding shelter until structural damage resulting from the fire can be repaired. Media- Please share these educational messages: Fireplaces should be inspected annually. Creosote can build up in the flue that lines the chimney. Creosote is a highly flammable black or dark brown residue that is a by-product of combustion. If there is enough of it—and the internal flue temperature is high enough or sparks or flames reach it—a chimney fire can start and extend into adjacent combustible areas of the structure. Using alternative methods to heat a home can be very dangerous. Avista Utilities serves residents living in the City of Spokane Residents. If occupants need assistance maintaining service to a home, they can call Avista at (800) 227-9187, email at [email protected] or message them on Facebook Facebook.com/AvistaUtilities This press release was produced by the City of Spokane. The views expressed here are the author's own.