February 26—Seattle Fire Investigators determined a fire at an under construction house in Judkins Park was intentionally set.

The initial 911 call came in at 12:28 a.m. reporting flames coming from a single family home located at the corner of South Norman Street and 24th Avenue South. While responding to the scene, fire officers could see the flames shooting into the night sky from several blocks away.

Engine 6 arrived first to find a full involved 3-story home that was under construction. Flames from the home were exposing to a second under construction house. Using multiple hose lines, firefighters were able to control the flames in 7 minutes. Embers from the fire landed on a nearby houses roof causing a temporary evacuation of the residents. The residents were eventually allowed back in.

The fire also damaged a piece of construction equipment, a port-a-potty and burned through a power line to a home. There were no reported injuries.

Firefighters conducted an overnight fire watch to make sure the embers don’t reignite in the home.
Fire investigators estimate the damage at $30,000 to the structure and contents. The case has been turned over to the Seattle Police Department’s Arson Bomb Squad who will be investigating.