SEATTLE – Just after 3 a.m. on April 3, the Fire Alarm Center received a 9-1-1 call reporting smoke and flames visible from a mid-rise new construction building at the 2300 block of S. Plum St. Engine 30 from the Mt. Baker neighborhood arrived first on scene and established command, and called for a defensive fire attack. Deputy 1 arrived on scene shortly after, and upgraded the response to a 2-alarm, bringing in additional firefighting resources from the City.
Crews utilized hand lines and ladder pipes to apply water on the fire from various directions, and eventually moved to a transitional fire attack and then to the interior. Two 5-6 story buildings were connected together through a U-shape design, and the fire had spread throughout the building on the lower floors. Firefighters were able to stop the fire from engulfing the two structures, and continued to apply water for over two hours, putting out hot spots.
While crews were working towards extinguishment of the 2-alarm fire, the bell hit again, this time for a fire in the Capitol Hill neighborhood at the 300 block of Bellevue Ave. E. Firefighters arrived on scene at 4:30 a.m. and reported smoke and flames from the top story and roof of the unoccupied structure. They conducted a primary search and did not find anyone inside, and had the fire extinguished within 32 minutes.
The cause of both fires is still under investigation, and will be updated here once available. There are no reported injuries.
UPDATE for 2-alarm fire at 2300 block of S. Plum St: fire investigators have ruled this fire as “incendiary” (intentionally set). Total estimated loss is 3 million. Information has been referred to the Seattle Police Department’s Arson and Bomb Squad for a follow-up investigation.
UPDATE for structure fire at 300 block of Bellevue Ave. E.: fire investigators have rule this fire as “undetermined”. The building was scheduled for demolition, so the estimated dollar loss is zero. Per policy for undetermined fires, information on this incident has also been referred to the Seattle Police Department.