Tour Commander, 509.625.7100
Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at 5:04 p.m.
The Spokane Fire Department responded to the intersection of Lacey and 11th for a reported building fire. Initial reports from witnesses calling 911 were 2 people were potentially still inside. First arriving crews reported a working fire with heavy smoke and flames on the side of the house extending into the house. An off-duty Spokane firefighter made a call to 911 reporting that everyone was out of the building. The off duty firefighter was in the area and was alerted by Pulsepoint. The firefighter went to the house to find an elderly resident trapped inside. The off duty firefighter was able to force entry into the house and could see the residents legs beneath the layer of smoke. The off duty firefighter quickly rescued the elderly lady from the house fire as fire crews arrived on scene. The patient was treated by the Spokane Fire Department and transported by AMR. With fire crews on scene fire operations were initiated with crews concentrating on a thorough search of the building's interior and a coordinated fire attack. Crews reported the fire knocked down and an initial search completed within 10 minutes of arrival with no civilians found. Fire crews remained on scene for several hours after initial operations to ensure there were no hidden sources of fire which could cause reignition. There were no reports of firefighter injuries.
Working smoke alarms save lives, cutting the risk of dying in a home fire in half (NFPA). Smoke alarms should be installed in every room used for sleeping, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement. Test your smoke alarm once a month. Make sure everyone in your home understands the sound the smoke alarm makes, and knows what to do when activated.
