Trending...
- CAPHRA: Australia and Thailand show nicotine prohibition fuels illicit markets
- STO Foundation Launching June 29, 2026 to Advance the Global Tokenization Industry
- Spokane: City Closures Planned for Juneteenth
~ Spokane Fire Department Concludes Investigation into Fatal House Fire
On Saturday, April 20, 2024, a tragic house fire at 1717 North Howard Street claimed the lives of several family members. After an extensive investigation by the Spokane Fire Special Investigations Unit, in collaboration with the Spokane Police Department's Major Crimes Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, it has been determined that the fire was accidental.
According to Fire PIO Justin de Ruyter, an electrical malfunction caused the fire. Investigators identified an extension cord in place of permanent wiring as the point of failure. The fire originated on the front porch near the garage and quickly spread to the upstairs living quarters where the family members were located. It was also discovered that there were no functional smoke alarms in the residence.
Fire Chief Julie O'Berg expressed her condolences to the family and friends of the victims during this difficult time. "Our hearts go out to them as they process this tremendous loss," she said.
More on Washingtoner
The Spokane Fire Department is taking this opportunity to remind residents about important safety measures that can prevent such tragedies from occurring. They emphasize that all electrical modifications or additions should be done by licensed electricians through a permitted process. Extension cords should never be used as a substitute for permanent wiring.
In addition, it is crucial for every home to have working smoke alarms installed on every level, inside each bedroom, and outside bedrooms in hallways. These alarms should be tested twice a year during daylight saving time changes and replaced if they are more than ten years old.
To help ensure that homes in need have functioning smoke alarms, the Spokane Fire Department offers no-cost installations for households within city limits served by their department. To request this service, residents can call 509-625-7149 or email SFDSmokeAlarms@SpokaneCity.org. An online application is also available on their website at https://my.spokanecity.org/fire/prevention/educ....
The Spokane Fire Department hopes that by raising awareness about fire safety measures, they can prevent future tragedies like the one at 1717 North Howard Street. As Fire Chief O'Berg stated, "We want to do everything we can to keep our community safe."
On Saturday, April 20, 2024, a tragic house fire at 1717 North Howard Street claimed the lives of several family members. After an extensive investigation by the Spokane Fire Special Investigations Unit, in collaboration with the Spokane Police Department's Major Crimes Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, it has been determined that the fire was accidental.
According to Fire PIO Justin de Ruyter, an electrical malfunction caused the fire. Investigators identified an extension cord in place of permanent wiring as the point of failure. The fire originated on the front porch near the garage and quickly spread to the upstairs living quarters where the family members were located. It was also discovered that there were no functional smoke alarms in the residence.
Fire Chief Julie O'Berg expressed her condolences to the family and friends of the victims during this difficult time. "Our hearts go out to them as they process this tremendous loss," she said.
More on Washingtoner
- EasySpanishTax.com Launches Simple DIY Modelo 210 Filing Solution for Non-Resident Property Owners in Spain
- Spokane: New Scam Targeting Families Of Out-Of-Custody Defendants
- Finland Sets Casino Gambling Risk Limits at 2% of Income, 4 Days, 2 Game Types
- Award-Winning Author Diana Colleen Reframes Billionaire-ism, Psychedelic Healing, and the Illusion of Separateness
- The Prolific Writer, Producer "Hunter" Is Bringing New Music For Summer Release
The Spokane Fire Department is taking this opportunity to remind residents about important safety measures that can prevent such tragedies from occurring. They emphasize that all electrical modifications or additions should be done by licensed electricians through a permitted process. Extension cords should never be used as a substitute for permanent wiring.
In addition, it is crucial for every home to have working smoke alarms installed on every level, inside each bedroom, and outside bedrooms in hallways. These alarms should be tested twice a year during daylight saving time changes and replaced if they are more than ten years old.
To help ensure that homes in need have functioning smoke alarms, the Spokane Fire Department offers no-cost installations for households within city limits served by their department. To request this service, residents can call 509-625-7149 or email SFDSmokeAlarms@SpokaneCity.org. An online application is also available on their website at https://my.spokanecity.org/fire/prevention/educ....
The Spokane Fire Department hopes that by raising awareness about fire safety measures, they can prevent future tragedies like the one at 1717 North Howard Street. As Fire Chief O'Berg stated, "We want to do everything we can to keep our community safe."
0 Comments
Latest on Washingtoner
- Tacoma Arts Live And Accelerating Creative Enterprise Present Ace Showace
- George Martinez Launches Community Re-distribution Initiative With Donation to the Gamma Alpha Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc
- SITE Technologies Releases Industry Research Report Exposing the CapEx Intelligence Gap in Commercial Real Estate
- A Business Novel About Ambition, Ethics, and the Hidden Realities of International Business
- Spokane: Upriver Fire – Camp Sekani Update 06/17/26
- Spokane Police Assist Spokane County With The Upriver Fire
- Century Fasteners Corp. Exhibiting at 2026 Farnborough International Airshow
- Compton to host first Juneteenth celebration with We Are Us Festival
- DuoKey Launches Quantum Risk Score to Help Enterprises Prioritise Post-Quantum Cryptography Migration
- Top 5 Most Reliable Used Vans in the UK in 2026
- Dominican Fashion Designer Raiza Bonaparte presents the Sovereign Despampanante Collection at the Library of Congress
- Tacoma: A Statement from At-Large Council Member Latasha Palmer on Rental Housing Resolution
- Tacoma City Council Adopts Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program
- Tacoma City Council Adopts 2026 Annual Code Amendments
- What Happens When Congress Says No? New Book Examines the Boland Amendments, Iran-Contra Affair & Jamaican Posse, as US Congress Debate Over Military
- Beware of Fake City of Spokane Development and Permit Invoices
- Warm, Dry Summer Forecast Points to a Stronger Wasp and Yellowjacket Season Across the Pacific Northwest
- Qscription Technologies Appoints Anurag Velekkatt Sunil Kumar to Drive Enterprise Scale
- Spokane: City Closures Planned for Juneteenth
- SafeBets Named Presenting Sponsor of IMCX 2026, Bringing Its No-Deposit Prediction Platform to the Creator Economy's Deal-Making Conference