SEATTLE – Firefighters responded to the 100 Block of 14th Avenue just after 12:25 a.m. on March 18 for a report of a fire in a four-story apartment building. Engine 6 from the Central District arrived first on scene to find heavy smoke and flames coming from a window on the second floor. They quickly upgraded the response to a 2-alarm, to bring in additional units for firefighting efforts.

Smoke alarms could be heard throughout the building on arrival. Crews initially attacked the fire by putting water on the exterior of the building, while another engine company went interior to push fire out with hand lines. The fire was rapidly progressing, but due to efficient firefighting efforts, units had the fire under control within 17 minutes. Firefighters prevented further spread of the fire in the building and actively protected the structure directly to the south from also catching fire.

During the search of the building, crews found a victim in the primary fire unit on the second floor. Unfortunately their injuries were fatal. The Medical Examiner and Seattle Police Department responded to the scene to begin their investigation. The American Red Cross was requested to assist displaced residents. Four apartment units sustained fire damage resulting in the units being inhabitable.

Fire investigators have ruled the cause of the fire as undetermined, pending autopsy results. The fire started in a studio apartment and extended into the unit above via the exterior window. Total estimated loss is $295,000.

SEATTLE – On March 13 just after 2 a.m., firefighters responded to the 6000 Block of 19th Avenue South for a report of heavy flames and smoke coming from a residence in the Beacon Hill neighborhood. SFD units arrived on scene and reported a well-involved fire in a car port which had spread to the attached residence and the house directly to the north. The incident commander quickly upgraded the response to a 2-alarm to bring in additional units for firefighting efforts.

Crews actively battled fires in both structures. Fire damage was evident to the interior of the home of the primary fire residence as well as four vehicles and the entire carport. The attic space and floor two of the neighboring house suffered fire damage as well. Ladder companies conducted a search of both residences and reported that all occupants had safely evacuated. The American Red Cross was requested to the scene for nine displaced residents.

At the height of the fire, there were 10 engines and four ladder trucks on scene. Crews had the fire extinguished within 44 minutes. There were no reported injuries to members of the public or firefighters.

Fire investigators responded and are ruling it as undetermined pending further information. A total of four vehicles sustained heavy fire damage, two under the car port and two in the driveway. Total estimated loss is $350,000.

In case you did not test and replace your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarm batteries this past weekend for the the start of Daylight Saving Time, now is the time to do so.

Changing smoke and CO alarm batteries at least once a year is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce home fire deaths and CO poisoning. In fact, working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by nearly one-half  by providing an early warning and critical extra seconds to escape. Consider installing a long-life battery powered smoke/CO alarm to avoid yearly battery replacements.

Every home in Seattle should have the protection of smoke/CO alarms. The Seattle Fire Department can install 10 year long-life combination smoke/CO alarms free of charge in homes where the homeowner is either an older adult, living on a low income, or has a disability. If you live outside the city of Seattle, please contact your local Fire Department to request assistance. To request a free smoke/CO alarm from the Seattle Fire Department fill out an online form or call (206) 386-1337 or email fireinfo@seattle.gov.

Learn more about smoke/CO alarms.

Fire Chief Harold Scoggins and Firefighter Matt Runte

Every year thousands of firefighters from around the world come to Seattle to compete in the world’s largest firefighter fundraising event.   Money raised will go towards fighting Leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkins disease and myeloma which are blood cancers that affect firefighters at a higher rate than the general population.

Firefighters representing 341 fire departments wore their full firefighting protective gear including their breathing apparatus and climbed 69 floors (788 vertical feet) using only the air available in the bottles on their backs. Even though the event is run like a race to the top, the real competition is how much money each fire department collects.

Seattle Fire – Team Tristan Smith with about 80 members strong are working hard to try and take the lead on this important fund raising competition. On race day the Seattle Firefighter Team was in 3rd place for fund raising capabilities (behind Everett and Boise).  Please support your home team and donate to Seattle Fire – Team Tristan Smith, it is just a click away.  The deadline is April 11, 2019 so keep pushing this valuable fundraising event and make Seattle #1!

http://www.llswa.org/site/TR/LLSWA/llswaFF?team_id=67832&pg=team&fr_id=1620

SEATTLE – On Sunday, February 24, 2019, around 7:05 p.m., the Seattle Fire Alarm Center received a 911 call reporting smoke coming from a house located on the 2800 Blk of NW 61 St.  Engine 18 responded from the Ballard station, and upon arrival reported fire coming from the back of a house.  Engine 18 made an interior fire attack from this location while other crews were searching the residence for possible occupants.  An adult male was located and removed, but unfortunately his injuries were fatal.

The fire was under control by 8:00 p.m. At the height of the fire, there were six engine companies and three ladder companies.  There were no injuries to any firefighters.

Fire Investigators have ruled this fire as undetermined pending results from the Medical Examiner’s autopsy report.  Total estimated loss is $270,000.

Valentine’s Day is Thursday, and many people may attempt to express their love with a home-cooked meal.

In Seattle and across the nation, cooking is one of the leading causes of residential fires. But don’t despair: you don’t have to give up on your dreams of being Top Chef to keep your beloved safe. Use these tips to make sure your dinner goes off without a hitch:

• Clean your oven and stove first. Butter, oil and grease residue can easily catch fire.
• Remove flammable items from the stove or cook top. Dishtowels, paper towels and shopping bags could otherwise ignite.
• Have a large lid or metal cooking sheet by your cooktop. Smother any pan flare ups or flames with the lid while protecting your hand in a gloved potholder.
• DO NOT use water (or snow) to douse a cooktop fire. Oil and water do not mix, and serious burns can result.
• Always remain in the kitchen when frying, broiling or grilling.
• Keep any pets (or children if this is a family event) at least three feet away from any cooking surface.
• If you must leave the kitchen when cooking, turn off the stove or set a timer to remind you to check the food often.
• Use battery-operated flames.
  

  Give these fire safety conversation hearts to the ones you love this Valentine’s Day.

Test it for the one you love

It may not be terribly romantic, but true love means regularly testing your smoke alarm. Nothing says “I love you” more than a combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarm with a long-lasting battery life.

All teasing aside, smoke/carbon monoxide alarms are critical to your safety. Roughly three out of every five fire deaths happen in homes without alarms or where they are not working. They should be installed in each bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on each level of a residence.

The Seattle Fire Department installs free smoke/carbon monoxide alarms to qualifying Seattle homeowners: live in the city of Seattle; own and live in your home; and identify as a senior or live on a low income or have a disability. This includes strobe smoke alarms for those with hearing loss.

Contact us at 206-386-1337 or complete this online form.

SEATTLE – Seattle Fire Department boat pilots will practice how to respond to vessel and maritime facility emergencies using the Seattle Maritime Academy’s vessel bridge simulator. The simulator mimics a fully functional bridge facility, including controls, communications, radar and realistic 360-degree visual displays.

The training has been specifically tailored to the types of vessels and navigation routes that Seattle Fire Department fire boats are likely to encounter. The SFD staff will practice navigation and communication skills using scenarios such as a vessel fire in the Duwamish Waterway, or crossing the Puget Sound to assist with a fire in Eagle Harbor in Bainbridge Island.

When:
The first set of simulator runs will happen on Feb. 6, 2019, between 2 and 3 p.m.
Please RSVP if you plan to attend – there’s limited space in the simulator

Where:
The Seattle Maritime Academy at Seattle Central College
4455 Shilshole Ave. NW, Seattle

Why:
The simulator training is part of a general training for boat pilots and staff at SFD, so they can to respond quickly and safely to fires and other emergencies involving vessels and maritime facilities. It is an example of the kind of partnerships and services Seattle Colleges provide to local agencies and the community.

This training builds on skills such as rules of road best practices, radio communications best practices and licensing, working within Vessel Traffic Systems, bridge resource management, and radar and electronic chart display and information systems.

The Seattle Maritime Academy is a division of Seattle Central College that prepares men and women for successful careers in passenger transportation, fishing and seafood processing, international trade, military operations and other maritime sub-sectors. The academy also provides customized trainings for government agencies and businesses in the maritime industry, including the Washington State Ferries and tug boat operator Foss Maritime.

For more information about the academy, visit https://maritime.seattlecentral.edu/

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Roberto Bonaccorso, Seattle Central College
206-934-4487
Roberto.bonaccorso@seattlecolleges.edu

Kristin Tinsley, Seattle Fire Department
206-250-1892
Kristin.tinsley@seattle.gov

SEATTLE – Firefighters responded to the 600 Block of 23rd Ave. E. just after 1 a.m. on Feb. 6, 2019 for a report of a house fire. When Engine 25 and Ladder 10 from the Capitol Hill Fire Station first arrived on scene, they saw a two story house well-involved in fire, and a house to the south with flames showing from the roof and attic area. The response was immediately upgraded to a 2-alarm, bringing in additional units to help with firefighting efforts.

Crews worked quickly to put water on the fire and protect other nearby structures. They had the fire under control in both structures within 30 minutes, and fully extinguished within 70 minutes. Firefighters worked in subfreezing temperatures and travelled to the incident with chains on their apparatus. Water runoff was taken into consideration, as water on roads would likely freeze overnight. The Seattle Department of Transportation was requested to the scene to treat the roads for ice.

Two people in the house to the south of the primary fire structure were able to escape the fire prior to SFD arrival, due to alert neighbors who began knocking on doors. Firefighters conducted a search of both structures and determined the primary fire house was unoccupied at the time of the fire. At the height of the fire, there were eight engines and five ladder trucks on scene.

Fire investigators are in the process of conducting an investigation to determine the cause, estimated loss and point of origin. Further updates on the cause will follow.

UPDATE 2/6 at 8 p.m.: Fire investigators have ruled the cause of the fire as accidental, and determined it started from an energized baseboard heater. The fire started in the living room on floor 1 of the house to the north, and spread to the adjacent house on the south side. Total estimated loss is $200,000 to the north house and $250,000 to the south house.

Safety tips for baseboard heaters:

• Never allow any item to drape across or be placed on top of a heater.
• Move away any furniture, bedding and other materials placed too close to baseboard and portable heaters.

Did you know that it takes only two seconds of exposure to 148°F (64°C) water to cause a burn serious enough to require surgery! Coffee is often served at 175°F (79°C), making it high-risk for causing immediate severe scald burns. For National Burn Awareness Week (February 3-9, 2019), the theme is scalds and how to prevent them.

Most common rooms for burn injuries are the kitchen and bathroom. Babies and small children are especially vulnerable to scalds from hot water or steam.

How to prevent scalds at home:

• Never leave a child alone in the bathroom or kitchen. If you must leave the room, take the child with you.
• Set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
• Consider installing water faucets and showerheads containing anti-scald technology.
• Keep hot foods and liquids away from table and counter edges. Never carry or hold children and hot foods and/or liquids at the same time.
• Use back burners, and turn pot handles to the back of the stove when cooking.
• Keep appliance cords out of children’s reach, especially if the appliances contain hot foods or liquids.

More information from the American Burn Association.

Snow has finally arrived in Seattle, and freezing overnight temperatures are forecast to stick around much of the week. Please review these tips to keep safe and enjoy this winter wonderland while it lasts.

Drive safely

Avoid unnecessary driving! Take the bus, light rail or train if you can. If you must drive, take your time, leave lots of distance between you and other vehicles, use your turn signals and headlights. Stay on main roads that have been cleared, and let someone know where you are headed. Grab emergency provisions, such as water, snacks and blankets before heading out.

Ladder 10 is just one of many Seattle Fire Department apparatus driving with chains during this weather so they can safely navigate the snowy and icy streets.

Avoid slips and falls

Take care when walking in the snow. Even when sidewalks and driveways look clear, there could be patches of ice. Wear shoes with good tread, wear high-visibility or reflective items and keep your hands out of your pockets in case you slip and need to break a fall. Avoid walking in the streets – vehicles may also slip and slide.

Prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning
CO is an odorless, colorless gas produced by common household appliances powered by gas or oil, such as furnaces, water heaters, ovens and ranges. Keeping appliances properly vented and in good working condition is the best way to prevent build up of CO. Installing working CO alarms and testing them regularly is also important. If using a generator or portable cooking source, make sure it is outside and away from doors and windows.

Call 9-1-1 right away if experiencing these signs of CO poisoning: headache, dizziness, fatigue, confusion, tightness in the chest and breathing difficulties.

Prevent a fire

Reduce your risk of a fire by making sure to keep any flammable materials (think fabric, paper, aerosol cans) away from heat sources such as fireplaces and portable and baseboard heaters. Always pay close attention when cooking – kitchen fires are a leading cause of residential fires. Never leave the room when there is an open flame in use.

Keep alert

Tune into local radio and TV stations or track their social media channels for the latest weather and traffic information. Follow key City departments on social media to learn how Seattle is responding. Seattle’s Office of Emergency Management offers great tips on their website. SDOT also offers all commuters some guidance on what to do during inclement weather.

Stay safe!