Assistant Chief Brian Schaeffer
Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at 10:01 p.m.
The Spokane Fire and Spokane Police Departments continue to investigate the cause of a fatality fire in North Spokane. Two people, one adult male and one adult female, were killed in a fire that was reported just before 4:00pm this afternoon in the 400 block of east Magnesium Rd. A Spokane Firefighter was also seriously injured while attempting rescue efforts at the scene.
Just before 4:00pm this afternoon, September 7, 2016, the Spokane Fire Department was called to an apartment complex in the 400 block of east Magnesium Rd. on the report of a building on fire. Fire personnel from SFD and other neighboring agencies were on scene within minutes. Believing there was still the possibility lives could be saved inside the burning apartment, fire fighters made entry. As the first personnel made their way into the apartment, it’s believed the materials in the apartment hit their flashpoint and erupted into flames, seriously injuring one of Spokane Fire Department’s personnel. That fire fighter sustained 2nd and 3rd degree burns to the upper half of his body and is being treated at an area hospital.
Soon after making entry, it was determined the two occupants inside were deceased. Once the fire was extinguished, Spokane Fire Department’s Special Investigative Unit as well as Spokane Police Major Crimes Detectives responded to the scene. The two agencies will run congruent investigations; the Fire Department looking into the cause of the fire and the Police Department into the unattended deaths.
A number of tenants from that building in the apartment complex were displaced due to heavy fire, smoke and water damage. Red Cross responded and is assisting in the efforts to help those displaced by the fire. Anyone who witnessed the incident today who has not already talked to investigators is asked to call Crime Check at 509.456.2233.
