Photo Courtesy Mike Heaton

Henny fire joined the Seattle Fire Department in 2006 as the very first accelerant detection dog or “Arson Dog”. Henny and her handler Captain Stephen Baer graduated from the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms Accelerant Detection K-9 school.

Henny is a black lab and is trained to detect petroleum-based fuels in the amounts that humans or machines can’t smell.

Since joining the SFD, Henny has assisted with in 134 fire investigations. Henny has been utilized by the ATF, FBI and other fire and law enforcement agencies around the state.

Captain Baer and Henny’s teamwork has led to arrests and the determination of causes in fires that included losses in the tens of millions of dollars.

Captain Baer transferred from the Fire Investigative Unit to become the Officer-in-Charge on Engine Company 8 located on Queen Anne Hill. Henny, is already enjoying her retirement. She will remain a full-time pet for Captain Baer and his family.

The City Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) is in charge of the sale. The city netted more than $575,000 which will help replenish the 2003 voter approved Fire Facilities and Emergency Response Levy Fund. The money will be used to upgrade, and renovate or replace 32 neighborhood fire stations.

The new Fire Station 37 is located down the street from the historic station.

Read more about it.

At 7:56 a.m., Engine Company 28 arrived to find smoke and flames coming from the side of a 1-story restaurant located in the 6000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Way South. Firefighters used Dry Chemical and CO2 extinguishers to put out the fire. The business was closed so firefighters made forcible entry into the business to make sure the fire did not extend inside. No flames or smoke made it inside the restaurant.

Seattle City Light was called to the scene to inspect the electrical connections to the business to determine if the electricity was being stolen from the power lines. Seattle Police Officers were called to the scene to investigate items discovered in the basement of the building.

There were no reported injuries.

Recently, Seattle Fire Department teamed with Seattle City Light to warn against the dangers of electricity theft. The Seattle Fire Department has fought fires caused by attempts to steal power, and deaths have been reported in other cities related to meter tampering

Here is a link to more information about electricity theft.

http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=6119

http://www.seattlechannel.org/news/detail.asp?id=12669&dept=3

At 2 a.m., firefighters were called to a fenced-off area of the park that is surrounded by razor wire. A male had made his way pass the “No Trespassing” signs and climbed up a staircase to the top of the tank. On his descent, he apparently fell through missing steps and dropped 10 to 15 feet. The man fell onto a metal platform and broke his leg.

Ladder Company 9 used it’s aerial to reach the patient. Firefighters stabilized the patient and put him into a stokes basket to be lifted down to the ground. The man was rescued from about 50 feet off the ground.

Seattle Fire Department Medics were waiting at the ground and transported the patient to Harborview Medical Center in stable condition.

At 8:11 p.m., the Fire Alarm Center received several 911 calls reporting heavy black smoke coming from a one –story auto body shop located in the 9200 block of 16th Avenue SW. Engine 11 arrived to find smoke coming from the building which was attached to a paint shop and part of an auto dealership.

When firefighters arrived, the business was locked and no employees were inside. Firefighters made forcible entry and found flames coming from one column and extending to the ceiling. The flames were threatening to ignite the next door paint shop.

Due to the firefighters aggressive actions, they were able to contain the flames to a 10-foot portion of the ceiling and save the paint shop. It took only 6 minutes for firefighters to completely extinguish the flames after first getting water on the fire.

No one was injured.

Seattle Firefighter Leo Castaneda appeared in the video at his South Park Fire Station 26. Firefighter Castaneda volunteered to speak about tampering with electric meters and the dangers it poses.

Tampering with a power meter is not only dangerous to those doing it, but also to surrounding neighbors. Along with firefighter Castaneda, the public service announcement features City Light meter reader Colin Tudor. The video also provides a phone number for people to call — (206) 684-4259 — if they suspect someone is stealing power. The video may be viewed on demand at
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=6119

Link to more information from Seattle City Light
http://www.seattlechannel.org/news/detail.asp?id=12669&dept=3

The male patient suffered serious injuries to his hand and fingers. The patient remained conscious and alert during the extrication and was able to assist firefighters with taking apart the machine.

Firefighters in an Aid Unit transported the patient to Harborview Medical Center in stable condition.

Theme for Arson Awareness Week 2012 is Preventing Youth Firesetting

Most children have a curiosity when it comes to fire. The initial curiosity can expand to more destructive and potentially deadly outcomes when children experiment with fire. Parents and caregivers can do a lot to prevent a child or youth from playing or experimenting with fire.

Click here to view the most powerful fire prevention tool every parent can use.

WHAT CAREGIVERS CAN DO

Teach children what fire is really like.

Real fire isn’t like the fires on TV or in the movies. Real fire is hotter, darker, and faster than most people realize, especially children. Be aware of how fire is used in the television shows and advertising your child watches. Help your children understand fire’s truly dangerous nature and they’ll be more likely to treat fire with respect.

Keep matches and lighters out of sight and out of reach.

Sadly, children can die in fires they set. Keeping matches and lighters hidden where kids can’t reach them is still one of the most effective methods of fire prevention. Even child-resistant lighters need to be kept out of reach and sight of children.

Keep a closer eye.

Children have a natural curiosity about fire. When they’re under your supervision, it is important to know what they are doing at all times. If you leave children to the care of other adults, be sure to discuss these important safety issues beforehand.

WHO CAN HELP

Many fire departments, including the Seattle Fire Department, have programs which provide fire safety education and intervention for children and youth who have unsafely used or experimented with fire. To learn more about the Seattle Fire Department’s Fire Stoppers Program, click here.

This morning, Seattle Fire Investigators returned to the scene and determined the accidental fire began in a band practice room that was located between buildings in the 4000 block of 7th Avenue South.

The original 911 call came at 11:22 p.m. Engine Company 36 arrived to find heavy flames and smoke coming from a 2-story building with exposures to nearby buildings. A second building was full of heavy smoke and a third building was filled with light smoke.

The incident commander called for a second alarm which brought in more fire resources to battle the fire. Through their efforts, firefighters were able to contain the fire to just one building. It took crews nearly an hour to fully extinguish the flames.

Firefighters conducted a primary and secondary search of all the affected buildings but did not locate anyone inside.

There were no injuries.

The damage estimate is $100,000 to the structure, $25,000 to the contents and $160,000 to the exposed buildings. The total loss is estimated at $285,000.

SFD Public Safety Educators are advising citizens to use as few extension cords and plug adaptors as possible Also educators suggest residents avoid tacking extension cords to the wall, running cords under rugs or running extension cords through doorways. Make sure small appliances, like toasters, are unplugged when not in use.

A half-dozen workers safely evacuated from the facility by the time the first engine company arrived on scene. The small explosion occurred in a manufacturing building that produced Acetylene which is a highly explosive gas used in welding torches.

The manufacturing building had deflagration venting, which are vents designed to absorb or relieve the effects of the explosion when it occurs. The specialized venting also prevents unacceptable structural damage and protects against life threatening injuries to those inside or near the building. Several deflagration vents were dislodged from the building and some windows suffered damage. There were no injuries.

A 500 foot perimeter was established around the building as a precaution. Inside the building, automatic systems activated which shut down the gas producing process.

Firefighters with gas monitors and protective equipment entered the building to make sure the gas manufacturing process was shut down. No additional flammable gas was detected and the scene was turned over to the property owners.

Damage estiamtes are 20 thousand dollars to the structure and 10 thousand dollars to the contents.