HomeMy WebLinkAboutRFA Media Release emailFrom: Ruth Pérez <rperez@rentonwa.gov>
To:
Bcc: Ed Prince <EPrince@Rentonwa.gov>; Valerie O'Halloran <VOHalloran@Rentonwa.gov>; Kim-Khá
nh Vnn <KVan@Rentonwa.gov>; Angelina Benedetti <ABenedetti@Rentonwa.gov>
Date: 2020-11-27 17:32
Subject: Fwd: Red Lion Fire Press Release
Attachments: ATT00004.htm Media Release_Red Lion ARSON.docx ATT00003.htm image001.jpg ATT00002.htm
image001.jpg ATT00001.htm image001.jpg
FYI
Begin forwarded message:
From: Roy Gunsolus <rgunsolus@rentonrfa.org>
Date: November 27, 2020 at 8:32:23 AM PST
To: Ruth Pérez <RPerez@Rentonwa.gov>, Kerry Abercrombie <kabercrombie@rentonrfa.org>, Morrell Marcus <mmorrell@rentonrfa.org>, Myron Meikle
<mmeikle@rentonrfa.org>, Linda Sartnurak <Lsartnurak@fd40.com>, Randy Corman <Rcorman@Rentonwa.gov>, Ryan McIrvin <RMcIrvin@Rentonwa.gov>,
Armondo Pavone <APavone@Rentonwa.gov>
Cc: Anjela Barton <abarton@rentonrfa.org>
Subject: Red Lion Fire Press Release
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CAUTION:ThisemailoriginatedfromoutsidetheCityofRenton.Donotclicklinks,replyoropenattachmentsunlessyouknowthecontentissafe.
Good Morning Governing Board,
This press release regarding the Red Lion Fire went out to the media this morning. We will be placing it on are social media platforms latter today.
Please let Anjela or I know if you have any questions
Thank you
Roy
Roy Gunsolus, Assistant Chief
Renton Regional Fire Authority | Admin Response Operations
18002 108th Ave SE Renton, WA 98055
425-970-5084 Cell | 425-276-9502 Office
rgunsolus@rentonrfa.org
Professionalism . Integrity . Leadership . Accountability . Respect
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 27, 2020
Renton Regional Fire Authority Contact:
Roy Gunsolus, Fire Chief 425-970-5084
Anjela Barton, Fire Marshal 425-970-5036
Man Arrested for Arson for Setting Fire to King County Operated Shelter Located at Renton Red Lion
Renton, WA – Just before noon on November 24, 2020, Renton Regional Fire Authority and surrounding fire
jurisdictions, providing mutual aid, responded to a reported high-rise fire located in room 614 at the King County
operated shelter located at the Renton Red Lion. Upon entry, crews discovered a large amount of smoke and
reduced visibility on the 6th floor. In addition to the fire and smoke conditions, crews found five non-ambulatory
residents in wheelchairs trapped on the 5th floor and unable to evacuate. The fire sprinkler system and quick
actions of our firefighters quickly put the fire out and limited damage to the immediate room and surrounding
area.
An investigation into the origin and cause of the fire was completed jointly between the Renton Regional Fire
Authority and Renton Police Department. The origin of the fire was located on the floor of room 614 and
included the burnt remains of a cardboard box, a pile of papers, bedding a cushion from a fold out bed in the
room. A burnt roll of toilet paper was located sitting on top of the TV and is believed to have been used to light
the fire on the floor. The fire spread from the papers to the carpeting and the bedding and then finally to the
cushion, generating enough heat to activate the fire sprinkler head that was located directly above the fire area.
The cause of this fire has been determined to be incendiary. The 46-year-old resident of the room had made
threats to burn down the building earlier in the day and was arrested for Arson by Renton Police Department.
“This fire had every potential to be deadly, based on the current use of this hotel as a shelter and the ongoing
fire and life safety concerns we have expressed. Since being advised of its change in use we have repeatedly
expressed concern around the ability to evacuate residents – and this fire demonstrated exactly what those
issues are – we had five residents in wheelchairs stuck on the 5th floor during an active fire that required
firefighters to evacuate them. Fortunately, the quick work of our firefighters and the fire sprinkler system
provided valuable time to ensure a safe resolve.” States Fire Chief Roy Gunsolus.
Fire and life safety issues at the facility have been an ongoing struggle for the Department, from documented
exits being chained shut, to failures to evacuate during emergencies, to tampering with fire and life safety
systems and of most concern, fire setting behaviour that has been observed in the facility.
Chief Gunsolus also recognized the continued strong partnership with Renton Police Department and the
effective work the departments do together “The arrest of this individual further demonstrates the strong
partnership between Renton Police and the Renton Regional Fire Authority and is but one example of both
Departments working together to provide a safer community”.
Estimated property loss of the fire is $25,000.
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