West Hills House Fire

Tour Commander, 509.625.7100

Monday, July 25, 2022 at 8:19 a.m.

At approximately 12:45 pm this afternoon the Spokane Fire Department responded to the 3400 Block of W 5th Ave. on a report of a possible house fire. Fire units arrived within five minutes of dispatch and reported a working structure fire at a single family residence with a basement. 

All occupants were able to make it out safely prior to SFD arrival. There appeared to be no working smoke detectors in the home. A second alarm was requested by the incident commander due to the heat conditions and a small brush fire that started and was encroaching on the BNSF rail. Rail traffic was temporarily halted.

A total of forty-nine firefighters brought the fire under control within 40 minutes. No civilian injuries reported. Two firefighters were treated on scene for minor heat related illness. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Spokane Fire Special Investigation Unit. 

Significant fire damage to the entire house. 

Estimated Dollar Loss: $250,000

Smoke Alarm: None noted by occupants or SFD crews.

SFD appreciates AMR, Avista and STA who all supported todays efforts

Educational Message:

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.