Submitted by Fox First at Ten on August 4th
**OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE FROM THE SPOKANE VALLEY FIRE DEPARTMENT**
LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. - Units from the Spokane Valley Fire Department responded to a fire reported at 6:07 PM Friday evening located at 1711 North Madson St. in the Liberty Lake area. Employees of Precision Manufacturing reported a fire in the grinding operation area where the firm prepares metal parts and components for powder coating. Employees immediately called 9-1-1 while other employees attempted to contain the fire to the area of origin using fire extinguishers and a garden hose.
A total of 10 Spokane Valley engines, ladders, support units with 34 personnel were assigned to the incident. American Medical Response (AMR) provided 3 ambulances and support was received from Liberty Lake Police.
The first arriving engine company from the Liberty Lake station arrived five (5) minutes after receipt of the 9-1-1 call. On arrival, SVFD personnel observed light smoke coming from a one story commercial structure and a number of employees still in the manufacturing area. While the employees had effectively contained and controlled the fire to the grinding operation area, a number of employees had been exposed to the potentially toxic smoke filling the manufacturing area. Fourteen (14) employees were exposed to the smoke, requiring initiation of a mass casualty medical response. A 2nd alarm response was initiated in addition to a request for three (3) American Medical Response (AMR) ambulances. City of Spokane Fire, Fire District 8 and Fire District 9 provided assistance with mutual aid coverage for the Spokane Valley area while SVFD units were committed to the fire.
SVFD and AMR personnel medically triaged 14 employees for potential respiratory problems. Two individuals were subsequently transported to Deaconess Medical Center for precautionary evaluation of respiratory symptoms. The fire was extinguished and damage confined to the grinding operation ventilation system. Damage costs are estimated to be minimal and disruption to the firm's manufacturing processes will likely be of short duration. The fire cause is currently under investigation.
Working fire extinguishers were used successfully in containing this fire and SVFD stresses the importance of regular extinguisher inspections and training in their use. Additionally, SVFD encourages all occupants of a structure to evacuate immediately at the 1st indication of smoke filling a structure and to have a fire evacuation plan in place.
