Spokane, Washington – Man Dies From Smoke Inhalation in Fire

Spokane, Washington (December 17, 2019) – A man died from being overwhelmed by smoke produced by a fire affecting his couch inside his duplex unit at the 6300 unit of North Lee Street. A cat and a dog were also found dead inside the affected unit. The fire did not spread beyond the couch and eventually ran out of air, and the incident was not noticed by the adjoining unit or passers-by.

The Spokane Fire Department was first called onto the scene around 4 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon when a relative found the victim. The family suspected a gas leak due to a hissing sound, but it was determined that the sound came from an open faucet. From the news release from the Spokane Fire Department, an investigation revealed that a fire was started by discarded smoking materials on Tuesday night. The victim attempted to extinguish a well-involved fire affecting his couch, but was overwhelmed by the smoke. It was also determined that there were no smoke detectors on the premises.

About Fire

We offer our sympathies and compassion for the friends and loved ones of the victim. The dangers of fire cannot be underestimated – the US Fire Administration has recorded 15 home fire fatalities this year within Washington. Statistics from the NFPA have recorded that cooking equipment were the leading cause of home structure fires, home fire injuries, as well as being the second leading case of home fire deaths. Additionally, smoking materials are the leading case of home fire deaths, though it isn’t always the case every year. Always handle fire with wariness and see to it that fires are always extinguished after use. Remember also to assess the area where fire is going to be used and see to it that complete fire safety is practiced at all times.

Aside from cooking equipment and smoking materials, electrical causes remain to be one of the top causes for home fires according to the NFPA. Their Electrical Fire Reports to the U.S Fire Department since 2000 estimates around 45,000 to 55,000 cases of home fires being caused by electrical malfunction every year. Annual losses due to electrical fire result in 455 civilian deaths, 1, 500 civilian injuries and 1.5 billion of dollars in direct property damage. From these statistics, the risk from electrical fire is very real and should not be underestimated. As for the accidents themselves, the NFPA lists 63 percent involved wiring and related equipment, 74 percent cited some sort of electrical failure or malfunction, and wire or cable insulation was the first item ignited in 32 percent of electrical distribution or lighting equipment home structure fires. From these cases, one must always review and identify potential fire hazards and fix them to avoid damages, injuries or deaths.

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