SEATTLE – At 6:05 p.m., our Fire Alarm Center received multiple calls reporting a fire on the top floor unit of a residential building at the 4400 block of 44th Ave SW. A nearby off-duty Seattle firefighter saw flames coming out of the building windows and attempted a primary search and rescue. He located an adult female collapsed in the fire room, but was unable to pull her to safety due to heavy black smoke filling the area. Engine 32 and Ladder 11 were the first units on scene and met with the off-duty firefighter as he was able to confirm the exact location of the occupant in order to expedite a rescue. Engine 32 entered the fire room to pour water on the fire while Ladder 11 found the occupant and rescued her from the building. Paramedics took over medical care and transported her to Harborview Medical Center. The occupant/patient is a 79 year-old female in critical condition.
Additional firefighters arrived on scene to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading throughout the building. The fire was extinguished by 6:40 p.m.
May 15 update: Our investigators determined the fire was accidental and likely caused by an electrical failure. Estimated loss is still pending.
May 17 update: Estimated loss is $350,000.