Spokane Valley fire roundup: Overused engine suspected cause of fire that caused explosion
Investigators believe the engine of a propane-powered forklift somehow sparked a fire that blew the doors off a warehouse at 4516 N. Barker Road on Nov. 2.
“The forklift had been running that day nonstop for nine hours,” said Spokane Valley Fire Department spokeswoman Melanie Rose. The fire started in the engine compartment of the forklift after everyone had gone home for the day and spread to the propane tank.
“That heated up enough to make the propane tank explode, and that was enough to blow the doors off,” she said.
Two of the building’s large roll-up doors were blown off and the other two were damaged.
Rose said she was grateful there were no injuries. “It was a good thing everyone had gone home for the day,” she said.
Other calls from Oct. 31 to Nov. 13
Oct. 31: A car hit a bicyclist at 10th Avenue and Evergreen Road. The cyclist, who was wearing a helmet, had injuries to his face and shoulders.
A small basement fire was reported a 2118 N. Locust Road. The fire was caused by clothing and toys covering a baseboard heater.
Nov. 2: A woman received minor injuries when her car was hit by a flying tire while driving in the 15500 block of East Trent Avenue.
A kitchen fire caused by an unattended pan of cooking oil was reported at 1507 N. Sergeant Road. Damage is estimated at $10,000. A 67-year-old man was treated for smoke inhalation.
A cooking fire was reported in an apartment in the 10100 block of East Main Avenue. Two neighbors are credited with putting the fire out and rescuing the tenant.
Nov. 5: A resident in the 4200 block of South Horizon Hill Lane reported seeing flames in the distance. Crews found an illegal slash pile fire.
Nov. 6: A fire was reported at a commercial building in the 7300 block of East Appleway Avenue. The fire turned out to be a wood stove fire with wet wood, which was creating a lot of smoke.
Nov. 7: Crews were called to a report of a truck that hit a home in the 12300 block of East 19th Avenue. A nearby power pole was broken in half and the truck was badly damaged, but the driver fled before crews arrived.
Nov. 11: A fire was reported in the 4500 block of North Vercler Road. The homeowner was burning yard waste and told crews he didn’t know that was illegal.
By the numbers: Crews responded to 597 calls in the two weeks from Oct. 31 to Nov. 13, including 472 calls for emergency medical services. Other responses included 53 car accidents, an arcing electrical meter box, a 3-year-old locked inside a car and an apparently intoxicated woman who locked her keys inside her car. Firefighters declined to unlock her car, but climbed in her apartment window to let her inside her residence.