Spokane Fire Department: Autumn Ridge Apartment Fire

Press release from the Spokane Fire Department:

2021-06-22

The investigation of the apartment fire on June 19, 2021, in the 7000 Block of North Colton is complete. The nature of the fire is determined to be accidental. The cause is identified as unattended smoking materials. The fire spread from a cigarette-style lighter to bedding materials and then spread quickly throughout the structure.

The SFD strongly supports the installation and maintenance of life-safety systems in public areas and multi-family residences. This incident demonstrates the criticality of fire suppression systems and fire alarm systems, specifically in multi-family dwellings. In-building life-safety systems are designed to protect occupants and property immediately and perform with no risk to responders.

This press release was produced by the Spokane Fire Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.