Residents Saved by Fire Protection System

Michele Anderson, Public Safety Communications Manager

Friday, January 19, 2018 at 4:11 p.m.

Investigators with the Spokane Fire Department’s Special Investigation Unit have ruled the cause of last night’s fire at the Wolf Apartments as accidental due to a faulty heater. Residents were saved and damage was drastically reduced due to the building’s working fire protection system.

At approximately 8:30 p.m. last night, the Spokane Fire Department responded to the Wolf Apartments at 240 W. Sprague Ave. on a report of fire alarm with smoke seen in the lobby area. Crews immediately upgraded the fire for additional resources to respond.

The entire building was safely evacuated as fire crews arrived.

The building’s sprinkler system combined with the alarm system helped to extinguish the fire and keep it from spreading further. The fire caused fire and smoke damage to a first floor apartment.

No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), properly installed and maintained automatic fire sprinkler systems help save lives. Because fire sprinkler systems react so quickly, they can dramatically reduce the heat, flames and smoke produced in a fire. For more information about fire sprinklers visit https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Fire-and-life-safety-equipment/Home-fire-sprinklers.