Tour Commander, 509.625.7100
Monday, May 9, 2022 at 10:08 a.m.
On May 9, 2022, at 3:20 AM, the Spokane Fire Department (SFD) received multiple 911 calls indicating a large house fire in the 200 Block of East LaCrosse Avenue in Spokane's Nevada Heights Neighborhood.
Several fire companies arrived within 5-minutes and encountered what they described as a residence heavily involved in fire from the exterior on all sides and floors. Additionally, the intense heat was threatening nearby homes, trees, and garages forcing firefighters to protect several properties while also trying to suppress the flames from the exterior. During the initial stages of the incident, the incident commander received reports that four people were living in the home--their whereabouts were unknown.
Due to the intensity and size of the fire, exposure involvement, and potential for several victims, a second alarm was issued at 3:28, bringing more companies and staff for support to assist in managing the incident.
As additional resources arrived, companies were able to fight through the fire to begin attacking it from the interior and searching the residence for victims. Firefighters located all four occupants on the exterior of the building, and only one was injured. Two occupants living on the upper floors had self-evacuated before the SFD's arrival. The remaining two occupants resided in the structure's basement. Both were rescued through a ground-level window by a heroic neighbor that pulled them to safety. SFD Paramedics treated one adult victim, and they were transported to definitive care in stable condition. The fire's damage was confined to the building of origin within 45-minutes.
The structure received significant damage and will not be inhabitable. Damage to nearby structures, mobile property, and equipment is still being determined. Firefighters will remain on the scene today, protecting the homeowner's belongings from additional damage during the salvage and overhaul operations while investigators determine the cause.
