Crews battle two-alarm apartment fire in Washougal

Firefighters battled a two-alarm apartment fire in Washougal early Thursday morning. Just before 4 a.m., East County Fire & Rescue crews were called to the apartment complex on Main Street on reports of flames coming from the building. Authorities say multiple agencies helped extinguish the fire, including the Camas-Washougal Fire and Vancouver Fire Departments. No other details have been released at this time.
KOIN-TV NBC 6 Portland

Car crashes into Seattle storage facility

VIDEO: Law enforcement was on the scene at a Seattle storage facility early Thursday morning after a car smashed through its front entrance. Crews responded just after 2:45 a.m. to West Coast Self Storage on Rainier Avenue South in the Columbia City neighborhood, according to Seattle Fire. The vehicle appeared to go through the doorway, leaving shattered glass strewn across the interior of the building. Seattle Fire crews requested a structural engineer to come to the scene to determine the integrity of the building. They found that the building was intact, Seattle Fire confirmed. A 28-year-old man was treated at the scene and transported to the hospital in stable condition, Seattle Fire said.
KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

State Fire Marshal’s Office promotes youth fire safety

Children can be naturally curious about flames and fire, especially when they are associated with celebrations, such as birthday candles or fireworks; however, teaching fire safety is important. According to the Fire Marshal’s Office, 68 fires in Washington were attributed to “playing with a heat source” in 2022. Parents, families and caregivers can take some simple steps to help prevent youth fire setting. Tips to prevent youth fire starting include: Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children; Closely supervise children and keep them away from fire sources; Explain that fire moves fast and can burn; Establish rules and consequences about the unauthorized use of fire; Be a good example and use fire safely.
KAYU-TV FOX 28 Spokane

Spokane County Fire District 4 asks voters to maintain funding rate

Spokane County Fire District 4 plans to place a levy lid lift on the ballot in August. If approved, the lift will allow the district to hire more emergency responders and replace a fire engine. According to the fire district, the Board of Fire Commissioners passed a resolution this week to bring the levy lid lift to voters. The district says that emergency calls have increased by 24 % in the past three years and that current revenues fail to cover the additional responses. In addition to hiring more emergency response and firefighting staff and replacing an engine, the levy lid lift would also fund the replacement of three vehicles used for wildfires and rural rescues. The Green Bluff fire station would also be remodeled to prepare for wildfire season according to the district. The district emphasized the importance of maintaining levy rates.
KAYU-TV FOX 28 Spokane

Burning weeds cause structure fire in Pasco, damages business building

VIDEO: A building fire caused by burning weeds at a business on Court Street in Pasco is now out, according to a press release. Pasco Fire Department Community Risk Reduction Manager Ben Shearer says the April 23 fire was reported on the 4400 block of Court Street at around 12:50 p.m. and was put out around 2 p.m. Franklin County Fire District 3, the Kennewick Fire Department and Pasco Police also responded when bushes on the outside of the building caught on fire and carried the flames into the building, according to a post from PFD. No one was inside at the time of the fire, according to PFD. Shearer says no one was injured. The fire was reportedly caused by burning weeds which spread to nearby bushes. The building, housing the W.R. Wilkins Tax Accountant business, is uninhabitable, according to Shearer.
KHQ-TV NBC 6 Spokane