Tour Commander, 509.625.7100
Monday, July 26, 2021 at 8:31 a.m.
At approximately 3:30 PM on July 24, 2020, the Spokane Fire Department (SFD) responded to the intersection of West 2nd Avenue and North Post Street for a 911 report of a large amount of black smoke and flames coming through the roof of a large downtown building. Firefighters arrived within three minutes to find 30-foot flames and heavy smoke emanating from the top of a three-story building containing occupied apartments and businesses. The smoke column could be seen throughout the City. The incident eventually grew to require the transmission of second and third alarms due to the heavy fire conditions and rescue potential of multiple occupants in the building.
Over 50 firefighters responded to accomplish an expeditious evacuation of ambulatory residents while searching the entire building for occupants needing rescuing from the smoke and impending fire. The incident was brought safely under control within 40-minutes of the SFD's arrival. Notwithstanding our efforts, the incident concluded with one resident sustaining smoke inhalation while attempting to extinguish the blaze. The resident was treated by SFD Paramedics and declined transport. In addition, one resident of an upper-floor apartment was displaced as a result of the fire's damage.
No firefighters were injured due to this incident, and the SFD Special Investigations Unit is investigating the cause.
