SPOKANE -- On Sunday, August 29, 2010 at 1:16 am, six Companies of Spokane Firefighters; three engines, two senior ladders and one heavy rescue under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Moline and Haworth responded to a Civilian Fatality Structure Fire at 1003 East Ermina in Spokane's Northeast Side.
Firefighters arrived quickly to discover fire showing from all sides of the single story single-family residence. Another home and garage were quickly identified as exposures due to their close proximity to the quick-moving fire. Firefighters entered the structure using handlines and mounted a bold assault on the fire, and simultaneously provided ventilation of heat and smoke to assist with the search for reported persons missing within the confines of the wood frame home.
The swift moving flames, which spread throughout the 700 square foot home, was ultimately confined to the structure and extinguished in just 15 minutes.
During the initial phase of fire extinguishment, Firefighters searching the residence discovered the remains of an adult near an exit. The victim was declared deceased at the scene. Three large canines were also found deceased.
During fireground operations, additional Fire and EMS resources were ordered and the alarm was upgraded to a working fire which added supplementary resources to assist in the search and management of the incident. There were no injuries to firefighters or other civilians on this incident.
