Our Fire Alarm Center received a 9-1-1 call at 9:47 p.m. reporting a house on fire at the 3200 block of 37th Place S.. The first engine company arrived at 9:50 p.m. and confirmed a working external fire on the rear deck of a two-story single-family house that quickly extended into the first floor. They also confirmed the sole resident of the home was safely evacuated.
At 09:52 p.m., the incident was escalated to a 2-alarm response because the fire extended to the north and south sides of the house. Exposing the two neighboring homes. A total of eight engine and four ladder companies were dispatched along with supporting units. As all crews arrived on scene, the Deputy One Chief assumed command and divided the crews into two divisions: North Branch to work on the fire that extended to the neighboring home; and South Branch to work on the fire at the house of origin.
At 10:10 p.m., South Branch reported the deck (where the fire started) collapsed, exposing the entire rear side of the house to the fire. Crews were able to complete a primary search of the house to confirm no occupants were inside. By 10:13 p.m., Seattle Public Utilities secured the natural gas lines to both homes. At 10:17 p.m., crews had the fire knocked down and gained control of the fire at the house of origin by 10:32 p.m.
The North Branch confirmed the fire extended to the rear deck of the neighboring home and crept into the attic. Crews had the fire under control by 10:21 p.m. and were able to conduct a primary search to confirm no occupants were inside.
From 10:33 p.m. and onward, all crews knocked down the fires then began checking for additional exposures and hot spots throughout both homes. Secondary searches were completed shortly thereafter and confirmed no occupants were inside and no injuries reported. Fire Investigators were unable to determine the cause of the fire because of the structural collapse of the deck. Estimated total loss is $650,000.