Tour Commander, 509.625.7100
Monday, February 15, 2021 at 8:34 a.m.
Sunday, Feb. 14, 2:52 a.m., Spokane Fire Department crews were dispatched to a report of a structure in the 1800 block of W. Gardner Ave. The caller reported flames coming from the front of the home and at least one explosion. Spokane Engine Three arrived on scene and reported fire coming from the one and a half story home with exposures (neighbors homes) on each side.
Crews immediately started to attack the fire with handlines and advanced inside the structure. Spokane Tower Four was assigned search and was already inside the structure when FireComm (SFD Dispatch) advised crews that a person was still in the home. Spokane Tower Four quickly found the victim in a back room of the home and removed him to waiting Spokane Fire Department and AMR medics. The victim was transported to an area hospital in critical but stable condition.
A Firefighter was also injured in a fall from a ladder and transported to an area hospital in stable condition. He was evaluated, treated and released.
The fire was quickly extinguished and crews remain on scene this morning. The home sustained significant damage with estimates of $200,000 loss.
The probable cause of the fire is a heating unit.
The Spokane Fire Department wants to remind everyone that fires caused by heating equipment are preventable by making sure heating equipment is in good working order and monitored carefully.
SFD offers these tips for safely heating your home this winter: