Fire Displaces Eight in Spokane Fourplex; Cigarette on Balcony Sparked Blaze
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~ Spokane Fire Department Responds to Apartment Fire Caused by Improperly Discarded Cigarette

At 12:19 p.m. on Tuesday, the Spokane Fire Department received reports of an apartment fire at 2937 East Decatur Avenue. Upon arrival, firefighters observed a column of smoke and quickly upgraded the incident to a working commercial fire. The fire was located in a fourplex and had already spread to the shared attic space.

Crews from Engine 15 and Engine 2 arrived within five minutes and were able to contain the flames on the second-floor balcony, preventing them from spreading into the living areas. However, due to the involvement of the attic, firefighters had to ventilate the roof and remove ceilings in the upper units to fully extinguish the fire.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported and the fire was under control within 15 minutes. However, all four units sustained significant smoke and water damage, making them uninhabitable. The American Red Cross was contacted to assist six adults and two children who were displaced by the fire with temporary housing.

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An investigation into the cause of the fire revealed that it was started by a cigarette that had been improperly discarded into a plastic container on the patio. Breezy conditions contributed to ignition, allowing the fire to spread to the exterior wall and into the attic through a vent.

In light of this incident, Spokane Fire Department PIO Justin de Ruyter reminds residents that cigarettes should always be disposed of properly in metal containers with lids or approved fire-rated receptacles for smoking materials. Alternatively, they can be thoroughly soaked in water before being placed in the trash.

Photos taken at the scene show firefighters working diligently to extinguish the flames on both the balcony and roof of the building. The damage caused by this preventable accident serves as a reminder for everyone to take proper precautions when disposing of smoking materials.

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