In the early hours of this morning, Longview Fire Department responded swiftly to a significant fire at 2715 Fir St. The incident, which involved a fully engulfed detached garage, was reported to emergency services at approximately 2:01 AM. The fire posed an imminent threat to neighboring residences.
Firefighting units and Longview Police arrived at the scene within five minutes of the initial 911 call, at 2:06 AM, to find the garage ablaze, with the potential to spread. Crews deployed hose lines and quickly knocked down the fire, preventing spread to the nearby homes.
While the structure of the garage sustained severe damage, damage to surrounding property was minimal. A vehicle parked in front of the garage suffered minor damage. No injuries were reported among civilians or firefighting personnel.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
“This fire was moments away from spreading to occupied homes. In the face of a fire, every second counts. Smoke detectors play a crucial role in providing the early warning that can mean the difference between life and death. They allow occupants vital time to escape and avoid tragedy. I cannot stress enough the importance of ensuring that your home is equipped with functioning smoke detectors to protect both lives and property," said Battalion Chief Eric Koreis.
Longview, WA – At 10:16 AM today, the Longview Fire Department responded to a distress call reporting a male in the slough near the 3600 Block of Oak Street in Longview. Thanks to the quick actions of an alert citizen and our first responders, a potentially tragic situation was averted.
Two minutes and thirty-nine seconds after dispatch, firefighters arrived and discovered an adult male partially submerged in the water. Lieutenant Graham Lasse, demonstrating remarkable commitment to duty, immediately donned a life jacket and jumped into the water while other firefighters deployed rescue ropes. Lieutenant Lasse quickly reached the hypothermic and exhausted individual, pulling him to safety on the opposite bank.
A coordinated effort involving firefighters, Longview Police, and AMR paramedics ensued, utilizing a ladder to safely extract the victim from the bank. The individual, whose identity is withheld for privacy reasons, was found stuporous and shivering. He was promptly transported by AMR ambulance to the hospital for treatment.
"Fortunately, an alert citizen promptly called for help, leading to a positive outcome in this situation," remarked Longview Battalion Chief Eric Koreis, acknowledging the crucial role of community involvement in emergencies.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation, and it is not yet known why the man fell into the water.
The Longview Fire Department commends the swift response and professionalism displayed by all involved in this rescue operation. Their dedication to preserving life and ensuring the safety of our community is truly commendable.
**About Longview Fire Department:** The Longview Fire Department is committed to serving and protecting the residents of Longview, ensuring their safety and well-being through timely and effective emergency response, fire prevention, and community education initiatives. With a team of highly trained professionals and state-of-the-art resources, the department remains steadfast in its mission to uphold the highest standards of service excellence.
LONGVIEW, WA — The Longview Fire Department is pleased to announce that our rating has improved from Protection Class 4 to Protection Class 3. Washington Survey and Rating Bureau (WSRB) recently completed an evaluation of Longview Fire Department resulting in an improved score. Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau is an independent, not-for-profit organization operating in the public interest. They produce data that insurance companies covering property in Washington state can use to better understand, assess, and price fire risk.
WSRB evaluates fire protection/suppression capabilities using a schedule approved by the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Communities are assigned a Protection Class (PC) score from 1 to 10. A PC of 1 indicates exemplary fire protection capabilities are available; a PC of 10 indicates the fire protection capabilities, if any, are not sufficient to receive credit for insurance. The score is based on several factors from four major areas including Water Supply, Fire Department, Emergency Communications and Fire Safety Control.
Longview Battalion Chief Jeff Thompson stated “Longview is now one of seventy-five communities in the state with a Protection Class 3 rating. This new score is effective May 1, 2024 and may result in reduced insurance premiums for our community. We recommend customers reach out to their insurers for additional information.”