Spokane: One Injured From a South Hill Apartment Fire
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~ On the evening of November 17, 2023, Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC 911) received a report of a couch on fire in an occupied apartment building in the 3100 Block of Mt. Vernon Street. Additional calls quickly came to 911, stating the building was on fire. In response, seven Spokane Fire Department (SFD) companies, one District 8 company, two ambulances, two battalion chiefs, and a safety officer were promptly dispatched.

Upon arrival at the scene, SFD and District 8 firefighters encountered smoke emanating from one of the units on an upper floor. Visibility was challenging due to the dense smoke and many of the building's occupants had already evacuated safely. The lone resident of the affected apartment had also evacuated safely but their medium-sized dog was still trapped inside. Despite hazardous conditions, SFD and District 8 firefighters entered the unit under fire conditions and successfully rescued the non-breathing dog from the premises. The dog was resuscitated by quick actions of firefighters and transported for emergency care at a Veterinary Clinic.

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The resident suffering from smoke inhalation was treated by SFD Paramedics and transported by AMR to a local hospital for definitive care and considered stable at admission. During rescue operations, a firefighter sustained a dog bite injury and has been taken to hospital for treatment. The firefighters assigned to first alarm worked together to contain and extinguish the fire within 15 minutes. Due to hoarder conditions within apartment, firefighters were on scene for hours completing thorough overhaul work.

The cause of fire is under investigation with financial savings/loss yet to be determined. Justin de Ruyter, Spokane Fire PIO commented that "SFD emphasizes dangers to community (*and media) of hoarding and how hoarding conditions can significantly impede firefighting efforts" He further added that "In hoarding situations excessive accumulation of items can block windows, doors and internal pathways making it challenging to safely enter building to combat fire or conduct rescues" He also highlighted other factors like increased fire load due combustible materials present in hoarded environment; compromised structural integrity due excessive weight; hidden dangers like faulty wiring or blocked vents; ventilation challenges due blocked windows; difficult search & rescue operations due sheer volume of items present; prolonged overhaul process due digging through debris which can be labor-intensive & time-consuming etc., all posing significant danger both occupants & firefighters alike.

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