Monday, May 12, 2014

Suspicious fire heavily damages vacant house on E. 61st.

Incident Date:  5/11/14
Issuing Officer:  Joe Meinecke & BC Ray Manglona 
Incident Location:  815 E. 61st St
Incident Type:  Residential house fire

Narrative:  At 3:00 am, firefighters from stations 2, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 15 responded to a reported house fire. 

The first arriving company found heavy flames and smoke showing from a vacant two-story approximately 1,760 square foot residence. Operationally, the incident commander used a defensive strategy (the house was vacant, under remodel and the fire had spread throughout the building) and directed crews attention to protecting the adjacent occupied house next door. Several handlines and the deployment of an aerial master stream were used to contain the fire to the building of origin. 

There were no injuries to report and the cause of the fire was determined to be intentionally set. The incident has been turned over to Tacoma Police Department for follow-up. The fire caused an estimated $160,000 to the building and its contents, and $2,000 damage to the house next door. 
Captain Scott Nicholson directing FF Shannon Gibson on the aerial nozzle attack