Increased number of fire calls over previous week

Fire personnel handled 219 calls for service during the week leading up to Tuesday. The previous week’s total was 199.

“The calls definitely went up,” said Valley Fire spokesman Bill Clifford.

This week’s emergencies included eight reports of structure fires. On Saturday, firefighters put out a fire at the 2800 block of North Cherry Road caused by a candle that was burning too close to plastic blinds, Clifford said.

There also were reports of three small fires believed to be maliciously set Monday on the 14000 block of East 14th Avenue. All three were out when the department arrived, Clifford said, and the causes remain under investigation.

The one brush fire reported last week turned out to be an illegal burn. Three car fires also were reported, but none was serious, Clifford said.

There were 19, mostly false, fire alarms. One alarm system went off after overheated oil ignited in a frying pan, and Clifford noted it’s important not to leave cooking food unattended or on too-high heat. Other fire alarms were caused by broken water pipes, and in one case firefighters replaced a faulty smoke alarm.

Of 17 vehicle accidents, three required transportation to the hospital, he said. About 1:30 p.m., Dec. 7, a dump truck working in Liberty Lake’s Legacy Ridge subdivision rolled, seriously injuring the driver, Clifford said.

Fire personnel also handled 171 medical calls and helped open a vehicle with a child locked inside.