Tour Commander, 509.625.7100
Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at 8:15 a.m.
At 6:01 AM on February 1, 2023, the Spokane Fire Department (SFD) was dispatched to the report of an apartment fire in the 900 Block E Augusta Avenue. The first fire company arrived within minutes and found light smoke coming from the top floor apartment.
Firefighters located a working fire in the kitchen. Hose lines were deployed promptly and contained the fire to the room of origin. Fire crews along with AMR provided medical care to one adult male occupant of the apartment for minor smoke inhalation. The victim was transported to an area hospital in stable condition.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the SFD's Investigation Unit. Initial findings by the Incident Commander identified possiblecombustible materials too close to a space heater; however, the formal cause has not been issued.
The Spokane Fire Department urges the community to ensure that all space heaters are kept at least 3 feet away from any material that can burn. Children and pets should be kept at least 3 feet away from space heaters and open fires. Portable space heaters should be turned off when you leave the room or the house, and when you go to sleep. Be sure to keep portable space heaters on a solid, flat surface. They should be kept out of doorways or high traffic areas of the home. Portable space heaters should be plugged directly into wall outlets. Do not use extension cords or power strips to power space heaters, as this could cause the cords to overheat and become a fire hazard.
