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Do Lithium-Ion Batteries Pose a Fire Risk?
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2023 Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Week
Each year, starting with the Martin Luther King holiday, fire departments around the nation support a weeklong campaign to educate communities about...
Call for Pro and Con Committee to Review Levy
Pro and Con Committees Spokane Valley Fire Department is placing before the voters on the February 14, 2023 ballot a proposition authorizing a maintenance and operations excess levy.
**UPDATE ON TWO ALARM COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE FIRE
For Immediate Release:
October 7, 2019
Contact:
Julie Happy
Community Affairs Manager
Spokane Valley Fire
509.892.4155
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UPDATE ON TWO ALARM COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE FIRE
INVESTIGATION OF THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE STILL ONGOING
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Last night’s commercial structure fire is still under preliminary investigation. Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) and Spokane Fire Department (SFD) firefighters responded at 11:27 p.m. last night for a report of a commercial structure fire in the 5500 block of East Mallon. A 911 caller from the area reported black and grey smoke coming from a commercial building.
At this time, the cause of the fire is unknown and continues to be under preliminary investigation.
According to SVFD Battalion Chief Jeff Bordwell, “Putting out the fire went as well as could have been expected under the operating fire conditions. There were no exceptional challenges that hindered progress of containing the fire. Crews were able to locate and shut down the gas. Avista was able to shut down the power to the 2 different power poles. Crews were able to open all the doors and gain access to the fire and put it out quickly and efficiently.”
Lime scooters were stored in the building where the fire occurred. Again, it is unknown what started the fire but with high active fire temperature conditions thermal runaway did occur with the lithium batteries. Thermal runaway occurs if the temperature reaches a critical level.
SVFD has been in close contact with Lime who is fully supporting and participating in the investigation at this time.
“We are in close contact with local authorities as they investigate what happened,” said a Spokesperson from Lime. “We are very thankful no one was hurt in the fire.”
SVFD will continue to investigate the cause of the fire today and potentially into tomorrow.
About SVFD
Spokane Valley Fire Department serves the cities of Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Millwood and the surrounding unincorporated areas of Spokane County with a combined population of 125,000 across 75 square miles. SVFD firefighter crews which include paramedics and EMT’s, responded to more than 17,487 emergency calls in 2018.
Established in 1940, SVFD is an Accredited Agency by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International; and, classified as an ISO Class 2 department by the Washington Survey and Ratings Bureau (WSRB). SVFD is one of four accredited departments in the state and the only department with distinction as an ISO class 2.
For more information about Spokane Valley Fire Department, visit www.spokanevalleyfire.com.
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.
