SEATTLE – This morning just after 7:39 a.m., crews were dispatched to a fire in a 3-story apartment building on the 1700 block of SW Barton St. Upon arrival, the first engine company saw flames from the exterior of the building and found one patient who sustained injuries from the fire standing outside the building. The patient, a 35-year-old male, was treated immediately and transported by Seattle Fire Department paramedics to Harborview in serious condition.
The incident escalated to a 2-alarm fire as more units were requested when crews discovered the fire had spread to all 3 floors. Approximately 6 units were directly involved in the fire but many more sustained damage from smoke. Crews had the fire under control within ten minutes of arriving on scene, then fully extinguished it by 8:14 a.m.. Units will remain on scene throughout the day for fire watch.
Approximately eight residents of the building were displaced and Red Cross is working to find them shelter. Thank you to the Seattle Police Department’s Community Service Officers and King County Metro as both agencies helped the displaced residents by providing food, water, blankets and a warming bus for them to use for immediate shelter until further arrangements were made. Unfortunately, firefighters found a deceased cat and parakeet while conducting a secondary search of the building. No additional injuries were reported.
Fire investigators determined the fire was intentionally set. The Seattle Police Department is investigating. Estimated loss is in the excess of one million dollars.
Update Feb. 13: Estimated loss is $1.3 million dollars.