Tour Commander, 509.625.7100
Monday, May 17, 2021 at 4:28 p.m.
Thursday, May 13, just after 8:00 PM, Spokane Fire Department (SFD) companies responded to a house on fire in the 400 block of West 23rd Avenue. The first-arriving company reported light smoke showing from the front door of a single-family residence. During the initial search in the smoke-filled building, firefighters were able to locate a fire in the exterior wall of a closet off the master bedroom. They made an aggressive fire attack, limiting fire damage and property loss. Simultaneously, companies searched the home for occupants and ventilated the structure to remove smoke and dangerous gasses.
The occupants were away from the house at the time of the fire. Neighbors in the area were the first to notice the smoke and called 911. Fortunately, there were no injuries to firefighters or civilians as a result of this incident.
Damage due to the fire is moderate as contained to the area of origin. The nature and cause of the fire remain under investigation.
Clearly, this fire could have resulted in tragedy if it occurred overnight while family members were sleeping. In addition to smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, it is crucial that all family members remember to "Close Before You Doze" by making sure that all bedroom doors are closed at bedtime. A closed bedroom door can slow the spread of flames, decrease temperatures, reduce smoke inhalation, and improve oxygen levels in the room. A little preparation can go a long way to help you rest easy and save lives in the event of a fire.
