Seattle — Last night at 11:39 p.m., the Seattle Fire Department’s Fire Alarm Center received 911 calls reporting flames coming through a window from a third-floor unit of an apartment building at the 100 block of 23rd Ave. E. The first firefighters on scene confirmed the fire burned through the third-floor window and was extending upward to the eaves of the roof. Crews from Engine 6 worked quickly to to get water on the fire from outside the building while firefighters from Ladder 1, 3 and 10 raised their aerial ladders to the roof of the building to check for extension.
Crews from Engine 25 carried a hose line up the stairs and to the unit. Moderate amounts of smoke billowed from the apartment unit’s closed door and flowed into the hallway. Fortunately, protective fire doors prevented much of the smoke from moving past the immediate area. As firefighters entered the apartment they encountered furniture and personal items that blocked access to the living spaces. Forcing them to move items into the hallway. They were able to quickly knock down the fire and search for survivors. Sadly, they found a deceased adult man, woman and their dog in the living room.
The fire was extinguished by 12:13 a.m. and was confined to the single apartment unit, though units below suffered water damage. The incident is under investigation.
Safety tips: Make sure all escape routes are clear and easy to access in case of emergencies. Keep doors closed to slow down the spread of smoke and fire.
UPDATED March 20: Seattle Fire Department investigators ruled the cause of the fire as undetermined. Estimated loss is $120,000.
UPDATED March 27: Cause of the fire was updated to accidental.