SEATTLE – The Fire Alarm Center received a 911 call at 10:48 a.m. on January 19 reporting a fire in an office on the 4500 Blk of University Way NE. Engine 17 responded from the University Fire Station, and after arriving firefighters reported black smoke in the second-floor hallway. All occupants had safely evacuated prior to SFD’s arrival. Firefighters found the fire on the west side of the building and because of the amount of fire present, a second alarm was requested. Firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to other offices in the building. The fire was completely extinguished within an hour. At the peak of the fire there were eight engine and five ladder companies on scene. There were no reported injuries to any occupants or firefighters.
Fire Investigators ruled the cause as accidental due to a toaster and estimated the damage at $500,000 to the structure and $250,000 to contents.
Photos courtesy of John Odegard
