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VALLEY FIREFIGHTERS EXTINGUISH MULTI-SHOP FIRE
For Immediate Release:
July 28th, 2020
Contact:
George Hedebeck
Captain / Public Information Officer
Spokane Valley Fire
509-319-6078
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Valley Firefighters Extinguish Multi-Shop Fire
Fire Kept From Adjacent Homes by Aggressive Fire Attack
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Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) units were dispatched at 10:30 this evening for a report of a structure fire in the 11100 block of E. Empire Ave. The homeowner called 911 to report their detached shop was on fire.
Firefighters on Engine 2, from SVFD’s Millwood Station, arrived within five and a half minutes to find a large shed fully engulfed in fire, in between two residential homes, with fire beginning to spread to the roofline of a second shop. Access to the fire was limited by a long driveway, and crews immediately deployed a ‘driveway lay’ of water supply hose to minimize vehicle traffic down the narrow access. This tactic involves leaving an empty hose end at the street before continuing down the narrow access, while a second engine brings a hydrant line to connect the two, getting hydrant water to the ‘attack’ fire engine down a long driveway.
The fire was initially declared defensive in nature, with crews pulling a 500 gal hoseline from Engine 2 for fire attack. Additional firefighters on Engine 15, Engine 6, and Ladder 8 began fighting the fire that had spread to the second shop using additional hoses from Engine 2. Several surrounding buildings, cars, and a motorhome were threated, but quick hose work and exposure protection hoses prevented further spread. A total of five Engines, two Ladder trucks, Rescue 8 and 3 command vehicles were dispatched, with 3 fire suppression vehicles canceled on arrival. There were no injuries reported, by civilians or firefighters. Units from the City of Spokane, and Fire District 9 responded as part of automatic aid.
The homeowner was alerted to a problem by a smoke detector in the shop. The noise was loud and unique enough to be heard in the main residence. The fire cause is under investigation, which is expected to last until late in the morning.
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 has a class 2 WSRB rating as given by the Washington Survey and Ratings Bureau (WSRB). SVFD is one of four accredited departments in the state and the only accredited department with distinction as a WSRB 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.
