Mother/firefighter’s wife/hero pulls her three kids from WA house fire
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“Without the heroic efforts of Firefighter Pete Flatt’s wife (Rachelle) this fire could have been much more tragic,” said Assistant Chief Greg Godfrey.
Rochelle Flatt said she put the children down to bed for the night when she noticed flames on the back patio. She called 911 and as she turned to get her kids, she heard a loud noise. The relief valve on the BBQ propane tank exploded and shattered the patio doors, according to officials.
The fire and heavy smoke came straight into the house as Flatt removed their oldest child to the front yard and then re-entered the house to rescue the other child and baby.
Spokane Valley Fire Department Assistant Chief Greg Godfrey said in a press release on Wednesday that two companies from the Spokane Valley Fire Department, and three companies from Spokane County Fire District #8 responded to the house just after 9:30pm and found heavy fire and smoke coming from the backside of the home. They also recognized the house and family as that of Fire District #8 Firefighter Pete Flatt. Flatt was working at Fire Station 81 on the south hill at the time of call, but his wife and three children were home at the time of the fire.
She called 911 and as she turned to go get her kids, she heard a loud noise. Firefighters say this was the relief valve on the BBQ propane tank releasing and shattered the patio doors. This allowed for the flames to coming straight into the house.
Rachelle had already gotten the oldest child out of the house, and then went back in to rescue her other child and baby. Firefighters say as she left the home with the baby, the heat and smoke were extremely intense, and Rachelle received minor burns to her ears, singed hair and severe smoke inhalation.
