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EVENING BASEMENT FIRE EXTINGUISHED BY FIREFIGHTERS

For Immediate Release:
December 7th, 2021
Contact:
Jeffrey Smetzler
PIO
Spokane Valley Fire
509-319-6078
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Evening Basement Fire Extinguished by Firefighters
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Spokane Valley Fire Department responded at 6:12 pm to the 1617 N. University for a reported structure fire. Callers to 911 stated a room in the basement of the house was on fire, and initially one occupant was still inside.
The first arriving unit, Engine 1 from University Station, confirmed all occupants were now out of the structure and a fire was in the basement of the structure. Firefighting crews entered the structure with charge hose line for fire attack and successfully located the origin of the fire and extinguished it. The fire was confined to one room in the basement and structure as a whole remained intact.
The secondary crews performed quick search of the house confirmed no life hazards, and the utilities were turned off for responder safety. During overhaul, the home was boarded up, and the two residents along with their four dogs are presently displace and staying with family. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
A total of five Engines, two Ladder trucks, and three command vehicles were dispatched, with crews returned in service after the quick knock down of the fire by initial arriving units. There were no injuries reported, by civilians or firefighters. Units from Fire District 8 and City of Spokane responded as part of automatic aid.
Festive celebrations, flickering lights and winter greens are hallmarks of the holiday season, but they also present fire risks that can quickly turn this festive time of year into a devastating one. The Spokane Valley Fire Department would like to remind residents to use GFIs or protected cords for holiday lighting. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both. Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect, and make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
About Spokane Valley Fire Department
The Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) serves a population of 125,000+ over 75-square miles, including the cities of Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake and Millwood, as well as surrounding unincorporated areas. In 2020, our cross-trained Firefighter/EMTs and Firefighter/Paramedics responded to more than 18,700 emergency calls.
Established in 1940, SVFD is committed to pursuing excellence and is distinguished as an accredited agency by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), and by SVFD’s Class 2 fire insurance rating from the Washington Survey and Rating Bureau
Connect with SVFD at: spokanevalleyfire.com. For department news, safety information, and timely updates, find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
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Did you Know?
- You can sign up for a station tour. Great for small groups.
- You should replace the batteries in your smoke alarms twice a year.
- Creating a defensible space with regards to wildfires could just save your home or property.
- We have Friends & Family CPR classes every month.