Major Residence Fire

Tour Commander, 509.625.7100

Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at 6:38 p.m.

?At approximately 7:40 PM last night, the Spokane Fire Department (SFD) was dispatched to the 3600 Block of East Frederick Avenue to a report of a vehicle into a house with a resulting structure fire. 

Initial arriving SFD companies reported heavy smoke and fire showing from single-family residence with a vehicle on fire alongside the house. To further complicate the situation, the car had ruptured a natural gas line that fed the home, which instantly ignited. The first arriving companies went immediately to work by attacking the gas-fed fire to keep it from spreading to other nearby structures and power infrastructure. 

The fire was contained and extinguished within 20-minutes of companies arriving on the scene. The cause of the fire resulted from a hit-and-run accident. A passenger vehicle was forced off the road and into the house. The impact sheared a natural gas line and led to explosive fire growth. Further investigation by the Spokane Fire Special Investigation Unit and the Spokane Police Department are on-going. 

The residence suffered significant damage to its north wing, including smoke damage throughout the house. The vehicle is a total loss. 

Despite the amount of damage to part of the residence and vehicle ($150,000), the SFD successfully saved the majority of the living space in the home and protected the nearby structures (large garage and nearby residences) from receiving any damage. Property and valuable assets that were saved from damage are estimated well over $300,000.  

View the SPD release here.