Occupied motor home fire

Brian Schaeffer, Assistant Chief, 509.625.7002

Sunday, April 6, 2014 at 10:40 p.m.

Incident #: 2014017025

Issuing Officer: B.C. Bill Donahoe

Narrative: On Sunday, April 6th at 7:13 p.m., Engine 3, from their station at Indiana and Ash, were dispatched alone to a reported motor home fire near the intersection of Chestnut and Gardner. While en route, due to the large dark column of smoke, the Engine 3 Officer upgraded the incident to a full response structure fire. Engine 3 arrived on scene at 2126 West Dean within 4 minutes to a large fully involved motor home behind a house with an exposed garage on fire as well.

The responding Chief en route upgraded the incident to a working fire after hearing the report from E-3 of the exposed building, numerous vehicles exposed and the uncertainty of residents accounted for. A total of 4 engines, 2 dedicated ladders, 1 heavy rescue, 2 battalion chiefs and the fire investigator responded to this incident. Companies completed a search of the motor home and garage with the two occupants of the motor home eventually accounted for.

Other companies supplied water from a distant hydrant, overhauled the motor home and garage, and evaluated the occupants for possible burn injuries. Due to the quick arrival time of Engine 3 and their aggressive attack the exposed garage was saved with moderate damage to one exterior wall and portions of the roof. No contents inside the affected garage suffered fire or smoke damage. Unfortunately the motor home was a complete loss.

It was later learned that the male and female adult occupants were inside the motor home when it caught fire. They attempted to extinguish the escalating fire with a portable fire extinguisher without success. They were very fortunate to escape the fire which quickly overtook the entire motor home. The 2 occupants are being assisted by the Red Cross at this time with shelter and clothing needs. Avista assisted with utility control while the Spokane Police Dept. provided traffic control. No injuries were reported by civilians or fire fighters.

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

Damage: The inhabited motor home was a complete loss with minor damage to one exposed passenger vehicle along with exterior damage to the exposed garage.

# Firefighters Responding: 22

Dollar Loss: $ 30,000.00

Other Agencies Responding: AMR Ambulance, Spokane Police Department, Red Cross and Avista.