Accidental Fire Damages Garage, No Injuries Reported

Justin de Ruyter, Spokane Fire PIO, jderuyter@spokanecity.org

Monday, November 20, 2023 at 8:33 a.m.

An accidental fire caused extensive damage to a large detached garage on Spokane's east side yesterday evening. The fire was reported at 6:08 PM on 11/19/2023 and produced a large column of smoke visible from a distance. SFD companies responded quickly and were on the scene within two (2) minutes of dispatch.

Upon arrival, firefighters faced a 24' x 60' detached garage engulfed in flames, perilously close to a neighboring home. Thanks to the rapid and effective response, SFD personnel contained the fire to the garage and fully extinguished it within 20 minutes, preventing any spread to the adjacent residence and neighborhood.

The nature of the fire was accidental and was triggered by a homeowner knocking over a tub of solvent onto an operating space heater. Fortunately, there were no injuries to civilians or SFD personnel. The damaged garage is a testament to the potential dangers of flammable materials and highlights the critical role of fire safety in residential areas.

Following these tips can significantly reduce the fire risk in garages where flammable liquids are used or stored:

  1. Safe Use: Use flammable liquids only for their intended purpose and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Avoid spilling, and clean up spills immediately using appropriate materials.
  2. Electrical Safety: Inspect the garage for any faulty electrical wiring or equipment, as these can be ignition sources
  3. Fire Extinguisher: Keep a fire extinguisher readily accessible in the garage. Ensure it is rated for fires involving flammable liquids (Class B).
  4. Disposal of Rags: Disposed rags used with flammable liquids continue to cause fires in Spokane due to improper disposal. These can spontaneously combust if not handled correctly. Store them in a metal container with a lid until they can be safely disposed of.
  5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wear appropriate PPE, such as gloves and eye protection, when handling flammable liquids.