Suspicious Powder Incident

Incident Date: August 4, 2010
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke, Dan Crotty
Incident Location: 737 Fawcett Ave.
Incident Type: Hazardous Materials Response

At 2:20pm today, a Tacoma Fire Department engine company was dispatched to investigate a report of an unidentified powder found in a piece of mail at the Multicare administrative offices located at 737 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma.

Shortly after arrival, the engine company officer requested a full hazardous materials response. A total of 4 engine companies, 2 ladder companies, 2 medic units, a hazardous materials unit and several command and safety units responded.

Firefighters evacuated 197 Multicare employees while Haz-Mat teams secured the unidentified powder for testing. Four Pierce Transit buses were called to the scene to provided shelter for the evacuated employees while several tests were conducted to determine if the powder was dangerous.

As per protocol's, the 10th Civil Support Team from Camp Murray was called to confirm the initial test results.

At approximately 7:30 p.m., testing confirmed that powder was not dangerous and the employees were released.

No one was hurt during the operation, TFD officials said.

Law enforcement is investigating the source of the package.

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National Night Out Festivities

Tacoma Fire Department was honored to be a part of numerous Neighborhood gatherings throughout the city of Tacoma last night. The 27th Annual event is designed to promote neighborhood spirit and heighten awareness to crime prevention efforts. Last year, an estimated 37 million people participated in the event nationally.

TFD was invited to participate in 83 neighborhood events last night, including our informative vehicle extrication demonstration (removing a trapped patient with the "jaws of life" tools) during Tuesday night’s festivities at the Fircrest Park. Thank you for all who helped make this a great evening.

Fireworks Related House Fire

Incident Date: July 5, 2010
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 1431 E. 30th Street
Incident Type: Residential Structure Fire

Narrative: At 1:14 a.m. seven companies of Tacoma Firefighters, 5 engines, 1 ladder, 1 medic unit and command staff responded to a reported house fire.

First arriving companies found fire showing from both floors of the vacant 2 story 1,000 square foot house. Crews fought the fire with hand lines, and concentrated on protecting the nearby house from exposure damage.

Fire investigators determined that the cause of the fire was fireworks. The fire resulted in $82,000 of property and contents damage to the primary structure and $2,000 damage to the neighboring occupied house. There were no injuries to report.

Just A Reminder...

Tacoma Fire Department offers this reminder - fireworks are prohibited in Tacoma.

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

Most fireworks violations are class 2 civil infractions and can result in a $257 fine; citizens using fireworks are still 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.

Citizen’s can report fireworks violations from July 1 to July 6 by calling (253) 798-4722. If the fireworks violation appears to put people or property in immediate danger, call 911.

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

Attached Garage Fire

Incident Date: June 27, 2010

Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke

Incident Location: 5932 N. 28th St.

Incident Type: Residential Structure Fire

Narrative:  At 11:52 p.m., six companies of Tacoma Firefighters, 4 engines, 1 Ladder, 1 Medic Unit and Command Staff responded to a reported garage fire with explosion.

First arriving companies found a fully involved attached garage fire venting through the roof of the 1 story structure.  Crews fought the fire with hand lines from the interior of the house and from the roof. Primary search and rescue revealed no occupants inside the building and the fire was brought under control at 12:21 a.m..

The cause of the fire is undetermined, with an estimated $107,500 damage to property and contents.

Residential House Fire

Incident Date: June 27, 2010
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 3002 Vista View Dr.
Incident Type: Residential Fire

Narrative: At 9:02 p.m. eight companies of Tacoma Firefighters, 5 Engines, 2 Ladders, 1 Medic Unit and command staff responded to a reported residential structure fire.

First arriving companies found heavy smoke and flames shooting from the back of the two story 4,911 square foot house.  Firefighters fought the blaze with hand lines while the ladder company performed vertical ventilation to combat the well entrenched fire. The fire was brought under control at 9:38 p.m.

There were no injuries to report. The cause of the fire is undetermined and damage estimates are $400,000 to the property and contents.


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Bio-Fuel Garage Fire

Incident Date: 6/15/2010
Issuing Officer: Faith Mueller
Incident Location:  3500 block of South 13th
Incident Type:  Bio-Fuel Garage Fire

Narrative:  At 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening, June 21,  4 Engines,
1 Ladder, 1 Medic company and Command Staff responded to a reported residential garage fire.

First arriving companies found a heavy volume of black smoke and flames in the alleyway with flammable liquid running down the alleyway and into the street.  The incident was upgraded to a Hazardous Materials response and three of the department's Class B foam apparatus were dispatched to the incident.

As the flammable liquid traveled down the alleyway it ignited a nearby recreation vehicle and adjacent detached garage.  Due to the large volume of fire and potential for increased fire spread, masterstreams were deployed to extinguish the main body of the fire.

Crews also worked diligently to minimize any environmental impact related to the bio-diesel.  The storm drains were diked, absorbent pads placed and Class B foam was applied.  The Hazardous Materials team completed an assessment of the flammable liquid and then conferred with the Department of Ecology.

Damage Estimates:  $75,000.00

Fire Cause:  Undetermined