Bartender Acts Quickly, Puts Out Fire at Spokane Temple

Blaze Is Extinguished Outside Structure; Tree Burned

A bartender at Spokane’s South Perry Lantern is being praised by Spokane Buddhist Temple members for racing across the street and putting out a fire outside the temple on the afternoon of June 8.

Security video shows bartender Stefan Vill-Olson running with a fire extinguisher after he spotted the fire and heard someone calling 911 to report it, according to published reports by KREM 2 News. 

“Frankly, we were lucky that the fire was rather small and put out quickly,” said Spokane Buddhist Temple President Joe Bracco. “The tree that was burned was going to be removed and was only perhaps 6 feet high. We were lucky that the fire occurred during the day so it was noticed and put out quickly. We were lucky that the fire did not spread to the tree next to it and set the temple on fire.

The taller tree had its leaves dried by the heat of the fire and hung over the smaller tree that burned, according to Bracco.

“We are very thankful to Stefan and look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with the community,” Bracco said, adding that the temple was “very thankful” for the help of neighbors.

Bracco said “it was very heartwarming to hear the concern from the community. Our neighbors reached out, and the news crew and police were taking this event very seriously.  

“I was happy to see how we each helped to clean up, responded to concerns on social media, attended a neighborhood meeting, as well as met with Stefan and presented a gift to him. Everyone did their part,” he said.

He said police are still investigating the fire and are reviewing security camera footage from the neighborhood. 

Meanwhile, on June 17, the Spokane Spokesman-Review reported that police were questioning a man seen walking away from multiple fires in the South Hill bluff that burned on May 25. The newspaper did not mention the fire at the Spokane Buddhist Temple and said Spokane police have not made any arrests and continue to investigate. 

The South Hill area is nearby the temple, according to Bracco.

Bracco said that, considering the fires in California and Seattle, the Spokane temple had reevaluated its insurance and found a policy that would cover religious property. He said the new policy greatly increases the temple’s coverage and reduces its cost.

In addition, Bracco said the temple has installed new smoke detectors that are integrated with the wireless alarm system, so that the fire department can be alerted instantly even if the temple is vacant.

"The Spokane Buddhist Temple is grateful to Stefan for looking out for our temple and community,” said Rev. Cyndi Yasaki, Supervising Minister of the Spokane temple. “We are very honored to have such amazing community members surrounding us with love and support."