Madrona Pointe Apartment Fire displaces eight occupants

Incident Date:  7/1/14
Issuing Officer:  Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 3202 S. Mason Ave. 
Incident Type:  Apartment Fire

Narrative:  At 4:53 pm, firefighters from stations 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 16 and 17 responded to a reported apartment fire.

The first arriving company found heavy flames and smoke showing from two second floor units of a large three-story apartment building. Crews attacked the fire with handlines, ventilated the roof and searched the structure to confirm know one was trapped inside. There were no injuries to report and crews were also able to rescue a pet dog and cat from the blaze.

The Red Cross was requested for relocation assistance for 6 adults and two children displaced in the fire.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

UPDATE: The cause of the fire appeared to be unattended cooking, resulting in an estimated $270,000 dollars to a total of six apartment units and their contents.

House fire at 1020 S. 7th Street

Incident Date:  6/30/14
Issuing Officer:  Joe Meinecke
Incident Location:  1020 S. 7th Street
Incident Type:  Residential House Fire

At 9:25 p.m., firefighters from stations 1, 2, 4, 9, 11 and 16 responded to a reported house fire.

The first arriving engine company found heavy flames and smoke showing from the second floor and roof of the approximately 1,568 square foot two-story house.

Crews made an aggressive interior attack on the well established blaze, bringing the fire under control in about 30 minutes. Of particular focus, was preventing the fire from spreading to the house next door as the two structures were only separated by approximately three feet. A search of the structure revealed no one was trapped inside.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

UPDATE:  Upon further investigation it appears that someone forced entry into the structure and started a fire in a second floor bedroom of the vacant and boarded up house. The fire caused an estimated $65,500 dollars damage. The incident was turned over to Tacoma Police Department for follow-up.

Recruit Class Graduation - June 2014

In a swearing in ceremony this afternoon, family, friends and the Tacoma Fire Department welcomed 20 new firefighters to their ranks. The graduates completed 13 weeks of intensive training, including fire suppression, emergency medical services, rescue and hazardous materials operations.   

On behalf of the citizen's we serve and the Tacoma Fire Department, welcome and congratulation's recruits!

Fireworks are banned in Tacoma

With the 4th of July holiday fast approaching, Tacoma Fire Department offers this reminder - fireworks are prohibited in Tacoma.

All fireworks are illegal within Tacoma city limits, and violators of the fireworks law are subject to a fine and the confiscation of their fireworks.

Most fireworks violations are a class 2 civil infraction and can result in a $257 fine; citizens using fireworks are also subject to arrest for other charges (i.e. arson, reckless burning, and assault). Fireworks are only permissible within city limits when a permit has been issued for a sanctioned public event.

Citizens can report fireworks violations through July 5 by calling (253) 798-4722. Tacoma Police will respond to fireworks related calls as units become available. If the fireworks violation appears to put people or property in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.

For more information on fireworks regulations, visit TFD's website or the Washington State Fire Marshal's Office.

Still want to see big fancy fireworks? We highly recommend Tacoma's Freedom Fair - it's the best show around!