SEATTLE — 10:53 p.m.: Our Fire Alarm Center received 911 calls reporting heavy smoke coming from a 1-story strip mall at the 3000 Block of NE 127th St. Engine 39 and Ladder 5 were the first units on scene and confirmed a well involved fire in retail stores located in the middle of the building with heavy smoke coming from a small void space connecting all the businesses in between the ceiling and the roof.
At 11:01 p.m., the response was upgraded to a 2-Alarm as the fire quickly spread throughout the building. Crews transitioned to a defensive strategy by pouring water onto the fire from outside because it was unsafe for firefighters to enter the building. Sections of the roof collapsed 30 minutes into the fire. Puget Sound Energy secured the natural gas lines from the building while Seattle City Light turned off the electricity.
Crews had the fire under control by 12:26 a.m. and no injuries were reported. A total of 11 fire engines, 5 ladder trucks and additional support units consisting of 84 firefighters responded to this incident. A few units will remain on scene throughout the night to monitor for flare ups.
Update (12/29): fire investigators have ruled the fire as incendiary (intentionally set). A total of eight units were a total loss, seven of which were occupied by businesses. Total estimated loss is $2.7 million. Information on this fire has been shared with the Seattle Police Department’s Arson and Bomb Squad for a follow-up investigation.