Firefighters Contain Transfer Station Fire
Spokane Valley, Wash. – Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) units responded to a reported commercial structure fire in the area of Oberlin and Montgomery Roads just before 9:00 P.M. last night.
First arriving units reported a fire in the waste pile at a transfer facility and, given the type of fuel, applied water from a distance. The deep-seated nature of the fire required a significant amount of overhaul to complete extinguishment and crews worked closely with facility staff throughout this incident. SVFD resources originally left the incident scene at around 1:00 on Wednesday morning, but one engine company returned to the scene a short time later when a security guard reported a small amount of smoke in the unburned portion of the pile. The source of this smoke was determined to be flammable metal from a jar that had been broken open. The metal was allowed to burn out while the materials around it were protected.
One firefighter was evaluated and released from a local hospital following a medical evaluation during the standard incident rehabilitation process.
Several fire sprinkler heads opened up above the initial fire and helped to control the spread and to limit the amount of damage to the structure. The Spokane Valley Fire Department regularly witnesses the effectiveness of fire sprinklers in saving lives and protecting property and this incident was no exception.
About SVFD Spokane Valley Fire Department serves the City of Spokane Valley, City of Liberty Lake, City of Millwood and unincorporated areas of Spokane County with a combined population of 125,000 across approximately 75 square miles. SVFD firefighters and paramedics responded to more than 15,800 emergency calls in 2015. Established in 1940, the Department operates 10 stations providing fire suppression, emergency medical services, technical rescue, vehicle extraction, hazardous materials response, swift water rescue, fire investigation, fire prevention, commercial property inspection, CPR and fire safety training.
For more information about Spokane Valley Fire Department, visit www.spokanevalleyfire.com.