PRESS RELEASE FROM THE SPOKANE FIRE DEPT: On Monday, March 18, 2013 at 07:56 AM, 9 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 5
Engines, 2 Senior Ladders and a Heavy Rescue under the direction of Battalion
Chiefs Moline and Donahoe, responded to an Explosion at 508 West
6thAvenue (Sixth Avenue Medical Building). The building is high rise
structure on Spokane's South Hill with primarily office and medical clinic style
occupancies.
Rescue 9 was first to arrive and reported nothing showing
from the building's exterior and established command. As additional companies
arrived simultaneously, firefighters were made aware of severe blast damage
within the building's basement near the boiler room. Rescue 9 and first arriving
firefighters subsequently coordinated the rapid evacuation for over 50 occupants
who had fled when the building's alarm was sounded.
As a result of the
explosion and a need to secure utilities, the entire building was temporarily
deemed untenable. Assisting the occupants, staff and patients in their need for
temporary relocation were busses from STA and nearby businesses.
An
adult male was identified to firefighters early in the incident as a
heating/ventilation worker during the initial assessment of the blast area.He
received minor flash burns from the explosion and told firefighters that he was
working on the natural gas boiler when the explosion occurred.
Fire Department
Paramedics treated the victim and AMR consequently transported him to a local
hospital where he was listed in stable condition Monday morning.
There were no
additional injuries as a result of this incident and the Fire Department, along
with Avista has allowed occupants to return to the building.
Cause: The cause of the
explosion is under investigation by WA State Labor and Industries and SFD
Investigators.
Damage: Although the
explosion did cause damage in the boiler room, there was no sustainment of
fire.
Firefighters methodically examined entire complex for structural and
infrastructure damage, however the building was determined to be
safe.
#Firefighters Responding: 31
Other Agencies
Responding:Spokane Police Department, Avista, Labor and Industries
PREVIOUS STORY:
UPDATE: Monday morning on the corner of 6th and Stevens (508 w. 6th) at the Qualmed Plaza, maintenance crews were working on a boiler in the building when there was a natural gas explosion.
One man received burns to his face but emergency crews say his injuries are minor. Avista shut off gas to the building and there was no fire after the initial flash from the explosion. Employees in the building were evacuated and 6th was temporarily shut down while crews were on scene.
PREVIOUS STORY:
KHQ.COM - A full response structure fire has been reported at west 6th avenue and the 600 block of south Howard St. We have a crew on the way to the scene and will update this as soon as we get the latest information.
