Seattle – At 5:22 p.m., dispatchers received multiple calls reporting a fire in a two-story residence at the 1600 block of 18th Ave. Engine 25 and Ladder 10 both arrived first on scene and confirmed a working fire with flames and heavy smoke visible from the front-right corner of the home. Neighbors informed the crews that the home had a single occupant who was unaccounted for.
Crews from Engine 25 worked quickly to pour water on the fire while additional firefighters conducted a primary search of the entire home. Unfortunately, they found a deceased adult male inside the fire room. Crews knocked down the primary fire within 15 minutes of first arrival and were able to fully extinguish it within half an hour.
Our investigators are working alongside SPD on determining the cause of the fire. No additional injuries were reported.
April 8 UPDATE: Our investigators determined the fire was accidental and likely caused by a portable space heater placed too close to combustible materials. For safety, we recommend placing portable heaters at least 3 feet away from all combustible materials such as curtains, blankets and furniture.