Tour Commander, 509.625.7100
Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 9:12 a.m.
Update 11/30/22:
On November 29, 2022, at 12:27 pm, the Spokane Fire Department (SFD) was dispatched to a report of a working fire inside the unhoused encampment referred to as Camp Hope, located near East Pacific Avenue and South Ralph Street.
A team of Fire Marshals were on-site when the fire was discovered by nearby campers, who quickly alerted security. The Fire Marshals contacted Fire Dispatch and turned in a first alarm. As they made their way to the fire through the camp, they discovered a fast-moving fire in a recreational vehicle (RV) extending to several tents and large piles of combustibles and trash. The Fire Marshals and on-site security safely evacuated the camp and accounted for the approximately 240 persons on-site. Additionally, community members and Fire Marshals attempted to extinguish the fire, using over ten fire extinguishers. Unfortunately, the fire extinguishers were not effective on the fire due to the sheer size of the growing blaze.
When fire companies arrived, they had to force entry through the camp's exterior fencing with mechanical saws. Once inside, firefighters stretched hose lines for fire control, searched the RV for any occupants, and protected exposures to halt the fire's advance in the camp. During the primary search by initial firefighters, they located and rescued a puppy that had taken refuge beneath bedding on the floor.
The RV, contents, and nearby possessions were entirely destroyed by the fire. Two adults and the puppy were displaced and are being assisted by the Red Cross.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined by investigators. There were no injuries to civilians or fire personnel.? The puppy received first-aid care from firefighters and remains with the former occupants.
