Fire Incidents for May 9, 2013

Time:  4:52 a.m. 

Address:  619 54th Ave E

Response:  Station 2,11,12

Damage Estimate:  $887

Narrative:  Firefighters responded to reported washing machine fire. An apparent mechanical malfunction with a belt or motor caused the machine to smoke. Crews confirmed there was no fire, made sure the unit was unplugged and ventilated the smoke.   

Time:  9:16 a.m. 

Address:  2102 E. George St.

Response:  Station 2,8,9,11,12,15,17

Damage Estimate:  $17,000

Narrative:  Firefighters responded to a house fire.  See original post here. 

Time:  4:13 p.m. 

Address:  5433 S. "M" St.

Response:  Station 1,2,7,8,11,12,15 

Damage Estimate:  $1,000

Narrative:  Firefighters responded to a reported commercial structure fire. The first arriving engine company found light smoke and fire on an exterior wall of the building. Crews extinguished the fire that was confined to the wall area and ventilated the smoke. The fire was accidently started by an occupant burning weeds with a propane torch.

Time:  4:27 p.m.

Address:  4910 36th Ave NE

Response:  Station 3

Damage Estimate:  none

Narrative:  Firefighters responded for a reported grass fire. The homeowners had extinguished the fire prior to the crews arrival.   

Time:  4:43 p.m.

Address:  705 Dock St.

Response:  Station 1

Damage Estimate:  none

Narrative:  Firefighters extinguished a small smoldering bark fire. 

Time:  4:47 p.m.

Address:  5601 S. Orchard St.

Response:  Station 7

Damage Estimate:  none

Narrative:  Firefighters extinguished a small camp fire set by 4 juveniles.    

Time:  8:46 p.m.

Address:  504 S. 30th St.

Response:  Station 2

Damage Estimate:  none

Narrative:  Firefighters extinguished a brush fire in what appeared to be a homeless encampment. 

Mechanical malfunction in a dryer sparks house fire

Incident Date:  5/9/13
Issuing Officer:  BC Jim Zuluaga
Incident Location: 2102 E. George St.
Incident Type: Residential House Fire

Narrative:  At 9:16 a.m. firefighters from stations 2,8,9,11,12,15, and CPFR 6-3 responded to a reported dryer fire.

The first arriving engine company reported dark smoke and flames showing from the back of the house.  Crews attacked the fire that had spread throughout the laundry room, searched to confirm no one was inside the structure and ventilated the smoke.

All occupants were able to escape safely and there were no injuries to report.

The cause of the fire was an mechanical malfunction of a clothes dryer, resulting in an estimated $17,000 damage to the building and its contents.  

Fire Incidents for May 8, 2013

Time:  11:33 a.m. 
Address:  4001 S. Pine St

Response:  Station 8

Damage Estimate:  none

Narrative:  Firefighters responded to a prohibited outdoor burn.

Time:  10:32 p.m. 
Address:  3806 E. Howe St
Response:  Station 11
Damage Estimate:  none
Narrative:  Firefighters responded to a prohibited outdoor burn. 

Time:  9:13 p.m. 
Address:  1601 S. Union Ave
Response:  Station 1,2,4,9,16,17
Damage Estimate:  none
Narrative:  Firefighters responded to a pull station alarm at a residential high rise building. Upon investigation they determined a unattended pan of food left on a stove caused smoke to fill part of the 7th floor. Crews confirmed there was no fire extension, ventilated the smoke and reset the alarm system. 

May 8th is National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day

May 8, 2013 is National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Tacoma Fire Department encourages animal owners to include plans and provisions for your pets, horses and livestock in the event of a disaster.

Plan for pet needs during a disaster by:

• Creating a pet survival kit with enough food and water for each animal to last at several days. Also include medications, cat litter/pan, a can opener, and food dish.
• Make sure identification tags are up-to-date and securely fastened to your pet’s collar. 
• Make sure you have a secure pet carrier, leash or harness for your pet. 
• For public health reasons, many emergency shelters cannot accept pets. Explore alternatives and find out if any hotels/motels in your area allow pets.

For more detailed information about pet, large animal and livestock preparedness visit ready.gov/caring-animals.

Fire Incidents for May 7, 2013

Time:  2:45 a.m. 
Address:  705 S. 9th St. 

Response:  Station 1

Damage Estimate:  none

Narrative:  Firefighters responded to a small bush fire. 

Time:  6:30 p.m. 
Address:  S. 17th St/Pacific Ave 

Response:  Station 2,7

Damage Estimate:  none

Narrative:  Firefighters responded to a garbage can fire at a bus stop. 

Time:  9:15 p.m. 
Address:  1040 S. Monroe St 

Response:  Station 9
Damage Estimate:  none

Narrative:  Firefighters responded to a prohibited outdoor burn of scrap lumber.

Fire Incidents for May 6, 2013

Time:  6:33 p.m. 
Address:  4002 Tacoma Mall Blvd

Response:  Station 8

Damage Estimate:  none

Narrative:  Firefighters extinguished a smoldering bark mulch fire. 

Time:  6:48 p.m. 
Address:  1201 Pacific Ave

Response:  Station 1

Damage Estimate:  none

Narrative:  Firefighters extinguished a smoldering bark fire in planter area.

Time:  7:12 p.m. 
Address:  3702 Marine View Dr. 

Response:  Station 3,12,14

Damage Estimate:  none

Narrative:  Crews responded to a reported boat fire. The small fire was extinguished by the occupants prior to our arrival.

Time:  10:48 p.m. 
Address:  3520 Pacific Hwy E

Response:  Station 12

Damage Estimate:  none

Narrative:  Firefighters extinguished a fire in a two foot plastic planter pot.  The fire appeared to be started by improperly discarded cigarettes. 


   

Spotlight on Boating Safety

With abundant sunshine and the opening day of boating season this past weekend, the Tacoma Fire Department would like to remind all boaters of measures they can take to ensure a safe boating season.

Obtain a Washington State Boater Education Card. 
Who needs the card?  All boaters 50 years of age and under operating a boat or personal watercraft of 15 hp or greater.

Wear a lifejacket! 
The U.S. Coast guard reports that in 2011, 533 of the 758 boating fatalities resulted from drowning, with 84 percent of the drowning victims not reported as wearing a life jacket. According to the Boating in Washington Handbook, children 12 years old and younger must wear a USCG-approved life jacket at all times when underway in a vessel less than 19 feet in length, unless in a fully enclosed area.

Designate a sober driver.BUI (boating under the influence). It shall be a violation for a person to operate a vessel while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug. RCW 79A.60.040.

According to the U.S. Coast guard, operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive  speed and alcohol are the top five contributing factors for boating accidents.