Commercial Structure Fire

Incident Date: 3/15/2010
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 2210 Court A
Incident Type: Commercial Structure Fire
Fire Cause: Under Investigation
Damages Estimates: Under Investigation
Injuries/Fatalities: 0

Narrative: At 7:20 a.m. Monday, March 15, 2010 nine companies of Tacoma firefighters – 5 Engines, 2 Ladders, 2 Medic Units and Command Staff responded to 2210 Court A for a reported commercial structure fire.

First arriving companies found heavy smoke showing from the fine furniture workshop located in the bottom of the two story building. Upon further investigation it was determined that the fire was contained to the dust collection unit. Crews quickly extinguished the fire, checked for fire extension into other areas of the building and used positive pressure ventilation to remove the heavy smoke layer from the business. There were no injuries to report.

Structure Fire

Incident Date: 3/13/2010
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 1211 Alexander Ave
Incident Type: Structure Fire
Fire Cause: Under Investigation
Damage Estimates: Under Investigation
Injuries/Fatalities: 0

Narrative: At 4:54 p.m. Saturday, March 13, 2010, seven companies of Tacoma firefighters – 4 Engines, 1 Ladder, 1 Medic Unit and Command Staff responded to a reported structure fire at 1211 Alexander Ave.

First arriving companies found flames and smoke showing from the side and rear of the 1 story mobile home smoke shop. Crews attacked the fire with hand lines, worked around downed live power lines and prevented the fire from spreading to an adjacent fireworks stand and a nearby house. Crews were able to contain the fire to the smoke shop and there were no injuries to report. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Just a Reminder...

Tacoma Fire Department would like to remind everyone that when you change your clocks tonight for daylight savings time, be sure to change the batteries in your home's smoke alarms as well.

When smoke alarms fail, it is usually because batteries are missing, disconnected or dead. Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries.

For more information about installing and maintaining smoke alarms visit the National Fire Protection Association or United States Fire Administration.

Vehicle Extrication Incident

Incident Date: 3/12/2010
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 1801 E. 56th St.
Incident Type: Vehicle Extrication

Narrative: At 4:02 p.m. Friday, March 12, 2010, 3 companies of Tacoma Firefighters – 1 Engine (E-15), 1 Ladder, (E-2) 1 Medic Unit (M-5) and Command Staff (B-2) responded to the 1801 E. 56th Street for a one car roll over motor vehicle crash.

First arriving companies found one patient trapped inside a rolled over sports utility vehicle. Crews quickly assembled a stabilization system to protect the patient from injury and used hydraulic tools to cut the top of the car off to safely remove the occupant. Fortunately, the patient was able to walk away from the incident once freed.

Suspicious White Powder Discovered at Tacoma Public Utilities

Incident Date: 2/26/2010
Issuing Officer: Toryono Green 253.255.4857
Incident Type: Suspicion of Hazardous Material
Incident Location: 3628 S 35^th St

Narrative: At 2:44 p.m. Friday February 26, 2010, E17, M2, and B2 responded to the Tacoma Public Utilities building at 3628 S 35^th St for the report of a suspicious white powder in an envelope. The white powder was discovered when a TPU cashier opened a recently received payment from a customer.

Upon TFD arrival, the lobby of the building was evacuated, the cashier was assessed and isolated, and the TFD Hazmat team (E12, L4, and HM44) was dispatched to investigate. After making entry and evaluating the white substance, the powder was determined to be a harmless.

Shooting at Elementary School

Incident Date: 2/26/2010
Issuing Officer: Toryono Green 253.255.4857
Incident Type: Shooting
Incident Location: 1202 S 76^th St

Narrative: At 7:37 a.m. Friday February 26, 2010, E10 and M2 responded with the Tacoma Police Department to reports of a shooting at Birney Elementary School, 1202 S 76^th St.

TFD crews arrived to find an approximately 30 year old female victim that had been fatally shot. The shooting occurred outside of the school. According to law enforcement officers, the shooter was apprehended and shot outside of the Tacoma city limits a short distance away.

The school has been closed. All buses have been rerouted to a nearby community center located at 7802 S L St. Any children arriving at the school will also be taken there.

Body Recovery Effort

Incident Date: 2/25/2010
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke 253.255.3260
Incident Location: Northbound 1-5 and S. 38th street
Incident Type: Body Recovery

Narrative: At 6:58 a.m. Thursday February 25th, 2010 four companies of Tacoma Firefighters – 1 Engine, 1 ladder and 1 medic unit and 1 Technical Rescue Team responded to a reported car upside down in the water retention pond off the exit of Northbound 1-5 and Westbound 38th street.

A joint investigation effort by the Washington State Patrol, Pierce County Dive Team and Tacoma Fire Department revealed a deceased person inside the late model Kia 4 door sedan. The vehicle was towed from the pond, the body was recovered and it has now been transported to the Pierce County Medical examiner’s office for follow-up.