Justin de Ruyter, Spokane Fire PIO, jderuyter@spokanecity.org
Monday, August 7, 2023 at 8:52 a.m.
On Saturday, August 5th, 2023, at 0340 in the middle of the night, the Spokane Fire Department was dispatched to Rosewood and Cincinnati for a report of a building fire. The initial calling party stated a fire between a tavern and the adjoining tow company.
Engine 15 arrived on the scene first to find heavy fire from the rear of the structure. Firefighters discovered high heat and heavy smoke conditions upon making entry into the bar and quickly conducted a search for civilian life and fire. Additional engine companies arrived, stretched multiple attack leads, and secured a water supply to the hydrant. Responding truck companies ventilated the bar of smoke and toxic gasses and assisted in confining the fire to the area of origin.
SFD firefighters quickly brought the fire under control, confining the fire to a rear storage room mezzanine, and were able to keep the flames from getting into the main bar area. Firefighters worked to minimize smoke damage to the occupied commercial spaces by conducting salvage and overhaul operations. An estimated $300,000 in assessed value was saved by firefighting efforts. No civilians or firefighters were injured.
The fire is under investigation and will be turned over to the responsible party upon completion.
