Brian Schaeffer, Assistant Chief, 509.625.7002
Monday, October 7, 2013 at 10:11 p.m.
Narrative: On Monday October 7, 2013 at 10:11PM, 4 Engine Companies, 1 Senior Ladder, 1 Heavy Rescue, and 2 Battalion Chiefs responded to a reported natural gas leak inside the Walmart Superstore located at 9212 North Colton. Engine 18 arrived first on scene and quickly located the natural gas connections to the building and shut them off. The Walmart Safety Officer reported that they thought all the customers and employees had evacuated to the front of the building. The first arriving Chief arrived and assigned companies to complete a primary search of the building for any possible occupants left in the building. A Fire Hydrant was secured and an Engine connected to the building's sprinkler system. Companies were also assigned to provide a fire attack lead to the interior of the building where the gas line was broken and monitor for the lower explosive limit of the natural gas. The building was then ventilated to remove the natural gas. Avista assisted in isolating the broken line and soon restored natural gas to the rest of the building. The building was declared safe for employees and customers within one hour and the building was turned back over to the Responsible Party.
Cause: The cause of the gas leak was determined to be from the operation of a fork lift that made contact with a supply line that went to a heater.
Damage: The reported damage was to the natural gas supply line and the heater involved.
# Firefighters Responding: 20
Dollar Loss: $3000
Other Agencies Responding: Avista
