Fire roundup: Pines Village unit destroyed; signs of smoking and oxygen device found

The Spokane Valley Fire Department last week responded to several calls involving unauthorized burning, a report of gas siphoning from church vehicles and an elderly woman rescued from an apartment fire.

Firefighters on Jan. 30 arrived at the Pines Village Apartments around 1:50 p.m. and found smoke coming from a window in a one-story apartment building. An elderly woman was in her apartment when the fire started and a neighbor heard the woman screaming for help. The neighbor called 911 and helped the woman evacuate the apartment.

Firefighters ensured residents in the adjoining apartments were safely evacuated and the woman was transported to the hospital.

Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire, but the apartment was completely destroyed. Investigators were able to interview the neighbor, but have yet to speak with the apartment resident.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, although there’s evidence of cigarette smoking and oxygen therapy.

“It really serves as a reminder that smoking and oxygen don’t go well together,” said department spokeswoman Melanie Rose. “Investigators are also looking into whether there were any smoke alarms (in the apartment.) There’s still some outstanding questions.”

Fire crews on Jan. 28 responded to a report of a gasoline spill around 3 a.m. at the Advent Lutheran Church on the 13100 block of East Broadway Avenue. Crews arrived and smelled a strong odor of gasoline coming from a church bus and passenger van. Upon investigation, they noticed gasoline being siphoned from hoses into portable gas cans that were overflowing in the parking lot.

Firefighters requested assistance from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, removed the hoses and placed absorbent on the gasoline spill. Fire crews then observed a Dodge truck with pieces of hose, empty liquid containers and a fuel can parked next to the two church vehicles. Fire crews contacted the church cleaning crew, who mentioned they also had gas siphoned from their vehicles parked north of the church.

As Spokane County Sheriff’s deputies arrived, a brown Chevy pickup truck pulled into the parking lot. The driver turned off the vehicle, made contact with deputies and confirmed he was the owner of the Dodge truck. The Sheriff’s Office secured fuel cans and the additional materials as evidence.

Other calls Jan. 22-28

Jan. 24: Crews were called around 4:20 p.m. to a nursing home at the 400 block of South University Road for a kitchen appliance fire. An oven that had grease buildup had caught fire. Employees were able to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher by the time crews arrived on the scene.

Jan.25: Crews responded to a fire alarm call around 7:06 p.m. at the 16100 block of East Broadway Avenue. A resident who wasn’t home at the time had left candles burning in an apartment that activated a smoke alarm. Crews ensured there wasn’t a fire and reset alarms.

Jan. 26: Crews responded around 5 p.m. to an unauthorized burning call at the 7500 block of East Beverly Avenue. When crews arrived, they found a family in lawn chairs enjoying their new fire pit. Crews determined the fire pit and wood used were permitted because it met the department’s rules and regulations.

Jan. 27: Crews were called to a residence around 3:05 p.m. on the 1100 block of North Burns Road. When they arrived, they found a homeowner burning yard debris. Crews instructed the resident that burning yard debris is prohibited and asked him to put the fire out.

Jan. 28: Firefighters responded to a carbon monoxide alarm at 12:30 a.m. on the 12800 block of East Kildea Road. When fire crews arrived atthe two-story residence, they found the residents in a vehicle parked on the driveway. The homeowner reported the carbon monoxide alarm was going off. Crews found high levels of carbon monoxide in the home, which was coming from a gas stove burner that was left on. They were able to ventilate the home until the high carbon monoxide levels had dissipated.

By the numbers: Fire crews responded to 271 calls, including 11 fire calls, 19 alarm system response calls, 226 emergency medical service calls, two hazardous materials calls, 10 vehicle accidents and three service related calls.