One Injured From a South Hill Apartment Fire

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

Monday, November 20, 2023 at 8:29 a.m.

At approximately 11:39 PM on November 17, 2023, Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC 911) received an initial report of a couch on fire in an occupied apartment building in the 3100 Block of Mt. Vernon Street. Additional calls quickly came to 911, stating the building was on fire. A first alarm of seven Spokane Fire Department (SFD) companies, one District 8 company, two ambulances, two battalion chiefs, and a safety officer were promptly dispatched. 

The first company arrived within 5 minutes. As they approached the entrance to the building, the officer reported encountering smoke emanating from one of the units on an upper floor. Visibility was challenging due to the dense smoke, and many of the building's occupants were in the parking lot after safely evacuating.

The lone resident of the affected apartment had already evacuated safely. However, their medium-sized dog was still trapped inside. SFD and District 8 firefighters entered the unit under fire conditions and successfully rescued the non-breathing dog from the premises. Despite sustaining severe burns, the dog was resuscitated by the quick actions of our firefighters and was transported for emergency care at a Veterinary Clinic.

The resident, suffering from smoke inhalation, was treated by SFD Paramedics and transported by AMR to a local hospital for definitive care and considered stable at the time of admission. During the rescue, a firefighter sustained a dog bite injury and has been taken to the hospital for treatment.

The firefighters assigned to the first alarm worked together to contain and extinguish the fire within 15 minutes. Due to hoarder conditions within the apartment, firefighters were on the scene for hours, completing thorough and lengthy overhaul work. 

The fire's cause is under investigation, and financial savings/loss has yet to be determined.

SFD emphasizes the dangers to the community (*and media) of hoarding and how hoarding conditions can significantly impede firefighting efforts. While there are many forms of hoarding, there are apparent factors in most cases we find that can impede firefighter's efforts to rescue victims and suppress fires in living spaces:

  • Obstructed Access and Pathways: In hoarding situations, excessive accumulation of items can block windows, doors, and internal pathways, making it challenging to safely enter the building to combat the fire and conduct rescues. Clear paths are crucial for firefighters to move equipment and navigate through a structure.
  • Increased Fire Load: A large amount of accumulated materials, often combustible, can provide more fuel for the fire. This condition can lead to a more intense and faster-spreading fire, making it more difficult to control and extinguish.
  • Compromised Structural Integrity: The excessive weight of hoarded items can compromise the structural integrity of a building. Floors and ceilings may be weakened, increasing the risk of collapse, which poses a significant danger to both the occupants and the firefighters.
  • Hidden Dangers: Hoarding conditions can conceal hazards like faulty wiring or blocked vents, which may contribute to the start of a fire and make it difficult for firefighters to identify and address these hidden dangers during firefighting operations.
  • Ventilation Challenges: Effective firefighting often involves ventilating a structure to release heat and smoke. Hoarder conditions can hinder this process by blocking windows and other ventilation points, resulting in reduced visibility and higher heat, which are dangerous for firefighters.
  • Difficult Search and Rescue Operations: In a hoarding environment, the sheer volume of items can make searching for and rescuing occupants or pets difficult. Firefighters have to navigate through clutter, which can be time-consuming and hazardous, especially in low visibility conditions created by smoke.
  • Prolonged Overhaul Process: The overhaul phase, which involves searching for hidden areas of heat and ensuring the fire is entirely out, can be prolonged in hoarding situations. Firefighters must dig through and often remove large quantities of debris, which can be labor-intensive and time-consuming.