Justin de Ruyter, Spokane Fire PIO, jderuyter@spokanecity.org
Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 2:30 p.m.
At 5:33 a.m. today, Engine 7 and Ladder 1 were dispatched to the ADM Milling Company located at 2301 East Trent Ave for a general activation of their fire alarm system. Within four minutes of the call, Engine 7 arrived at the scene and engaged with employees who reported smoke on the fourth floor. Recognizing the potential severity, the company officer promptly requested a high-rise commercial fire response, bringing additional units to the location.
Upon reaching the fourth floor, firefighters identified a fire in the machinery designed to contain dust within the facility. A thorough investigation revealed the source as the large filters meant to capture the dust. Quick action from the firefighters successfully isolated and extinguished the fire, preventing it from causing damage beyond the machine.
Simultaneously, other firefighters secured a water supply from the nearby fire hydrant and deployed hoselines to connect to the building's standpipe system, ensuring an ample water source for firefighting on the upper floors. With the fire under control, efforts shifted to ventilating the fourth and upper floors using fans to pressurize the building.
The incident underscored the significant threat of dust fires due to the combustible nature of fine particles suspended in the air. Ignition can lead to rapid and intense fires, with the potential for dust explosions amplifying the danger to firefighters. The ignition of a concentrated dust cloud can trigger a chain reaction with potentially devastating consequences.
While current damage estimates are unavailable, the fire damage was contained to the affected machine. This morning's swift response and effective firefighting measures averted the potential for millions of dollars in losses for the business. Notably, the incident concluded with no reported injuries to employees or firefighters, highlighting the hours of training that firefighters complete each year dedicated to firefighting operations.
