FAQ

1 . When did the fire start?^

About 12:05 a.m., Monday, March 13, according to Spokane Fire Department reports.

2 . Was anyone hurt?^

Because the building was under construction, there were no residents. No firefighters, nearby residents nor passersby were reported injured. 

3 . Did the fire spread to any other parts of the neighborhood?^

The Spokane Fire Department did an excellent job of containing the fire within the block on which the apartment complex was located, bounded by Ruby Street on the west, Sharp Avenue on the north, Pearl Street on the east and Boone Avenue on the south.

4 . What caused the fire?^

Fire investigators have determined that the fire was intentionally set. They cited multiple places of origin for the fire. They have no reason to believe at this time that Gonzaga or its contractor, Walker Construction, were targeted. Investigators continue to examine evidence for leads. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call fire investigators at (509) 625-7052.

5 . How badly damaged were the buildings as a result of the fire?^

The fire destroyed all three five-story wings of the Kennedy Apartments complex.

6 . Were fire suppression systems in place?^

The buildings were designed to meet or exceed all building and safety codes, including fire suppression and alarm systems. But because the complex was still under construction, the systems had not yet been activated. Each suite in the apartment complex, when completed, was to be separated by fire separation walls and lightweight concrete floors, which are designed to contain fires within the affected suite.

7 . Were there any unusually flammable materials in the buildings at the time of the fire? ^

As is consistent with typical construction, there were flammable building materials on site.  Propane was being used by the contractor to heat the buildings for the purpose of curing the Sheetrock and tape. It also was used to power some equipment. Natural gas and electric heat were in the process of being installed, but were not activated.  

8 . Some bystanders reported hearing or seeing small explosions inside the buildings. Can you explain those?^

We believe that small propane tanks used to power tools could have ruptured during the fire. 

9 . Was water to fight the fire in short supply?^

No. The Fire Department poured up to 20,000 gallons of water per minute on the fire.

10 . How fast was the Fire Department response?^

We have been told that the fire dispatcher began receiving 911 calls shortly after midnight, and the Spokane Fire Department was on-site 2 ½ minutes later.

11 . What were the buildings made of?^

The structure was wood frame and Sheetrock. The upper floors were wooden decks covered with lightweight concrete. The first floor deck was structural concrete.

12 . Was anyone on site at the time of the fire?^

A contracted security company provided timely patrols of the complex prior to the time when the fire was reported. These patrols did not detect any signs of fire.

13 . Will the buildings be reconstructed?^

As soon as the investigators complete their work, the debris will be removed from the site, a determination will be made as to whether the footings and foundation remain usable or not, and re-construction should begin no later than May 2006, with completion expected in summer of 2007. It is our hope that all of the underground utilities remain intact.

14 . Will insurance cover the losses?^

Walker Construction has builder’s risk and course-of-construction insurance which should cover the losses.

15 . What will happen to the students who had reserved space in the Kennedy Apartments for fall 2006 occupancy?^

Those students who had reserved an apartment in the new complex have been surveyed by the Gonzaga Housing Office as to their needs and housing plans for fall 2006. Efforts will be made to accommodate those who still wish to live in University housing, based upon availability. Some students with reservations in both Corkery and Burch apartments have agreed to make their single rooms into double rooms to accommodate some of the students who had planned to live in Kennedy Apartments. In addition, Gonzaga will assist Kennedy Apartments students to locate alternative off-campus housing. Only students who had been confirmed in Kennedy Apartments for fall 2006 are affected by this fire. All other residence reservations are firm. None of the Kennedy residents will be held to their rental agreements and can cancel their application at any time by calling the Housing Office at 323-4103.

16 . What about rental deposits made on the Kennedy Apartments for fall 2006?^

All deposits will be returned upon request, or applied to another university space in the fall.

17 . How safe are the other University-owned residence halls and apartment complexes?^

All of our residence halls and apartment communities are protected by detection systems designed to respond to both heat and smoke, both internal to student bedrooms and in common areas. Our live-in residence life staff is trained on evacuation procedures and fire drills are conducted each semester. Fire stations that service Gonzaga are versed in the layout of our facilities so they can respond efficiently to any residence hall fire. In many of our residence halls, burnt toast in one area will result in a building evacuation. In all residence halls and most apartments, we complement this detection system with a "suppression" system that will engage in the event that a fire breaks out, and limit the fire to the source or source room. The remaining apartment complexes are scheduled to receive this additional protection as well.

We contract with several Spokane fire, safety and protection providers that coordinate a regular and aggressive testing program to assure all systems are functioning in every building and in each detection location. Additionally, our security personnel are on-site rapidly at the sound of any alarm, to collaborate with our residence staff and to secure the arrival of Spokane Fire Department responders. This same system will be in place, tried and tested, by the time residents move into Kennedy Apartments in fall 2007.