Unattended Cooking Materials Cause Residential Fire

No reported injuries, extensive smoke and fire damage

Michele Anderson, Public Safety Communications Manager, 509.622.5868, mlanderson@spokanecity.org

Monday, May 16, 2016 at 10:36 a.m.

Yesterday’s residential fire in the 1500 block of  E. Houghton Court serves as an important reminder to not leave cooking materials unattended. No injuries were reported and damage to the north Spokane home was estimated at $150,000.

At 11:39 a.m., the Spokane Fire Department along with units from Fire District 9, were dispatched to a structure fire. The first arriving fire crews reported near total fire involvement of a two-story, single-family home. The neighboring home to the east was in close proximity and was beginning to show signs of imminent ignition. Crews from both the City of Spokane and Fire District 9 were able to protect the home next door, search for any possible victims, and extinguish the fire within 30 minutes.

Two occupants were home at the time of the fire and were able to escape without injury. There were no reported injuries to firefighters.

The house suffered extensive fire and smoke damage to all floors. The Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit determined the cause of the fire to be accidental in nature due to unattended cooking materials being left on the covered rear deck.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration cooking is the leading cause of residential building fires.