One Victim Hospitalized Following an Early Morning Fire on E. Bannock St

On July 17^th, 2023 at 6:07 am Boise Fire crews were dispatched to a nine-story apartment building fire on E. Bannock St. Upon arrival, crews encountered heavy smoke in the 3^rd floor hallway. Due to working smoke detectors, several residents had already evacuated and Boise Police Officers were assisting several people down the stairs. Firefighters asked the remaining residents to shelter in place, while Engine 1 and Engine 5 advanced a firehose up to the 3^rd floor, and entered an apartment to find the living room on fire. Fire crews quickly extinguished the fire preventing it from spreading to other units. While crews were working to put out the fire, Boise Police arranged for one of the Boise State University Bronco Shuttle buses to pick up some residents who were relocated to the Boise Senior Center a few blocks away. One female resident was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries, and a second victim was evaluated on the ninth floor but was released on scene. There were no other reported injuries to residents or firefighters. The fire was contained to one unit, and smoke damage was contained to the third floor. One resident is displaced from the fire. The Trauma Intervention Program of Treasure Valley (TIPS) responded and is assisting the resident with any immediate needs. Firefighters stayed on scene for a few hours working to remove smoke from the hallways, so the remaining residents could return home. Broadway Ave was shut down between E. Idaho and E. Jefferson while crews were on scene but it has since reopened. A Boise Fire investigator determined the cause of the fire to be accidental from a cigarette lit near an oxygen tank.