Seattle — At 9 a.m., the Seattle Fire Department’s Fire Alarm Center received 911 calls reporting an aerial lift platform made contact with power lines resulting in a fire in the 1200 block of Queen Anne Ave. N. When firefighters arrived on scene, they reported a fire involving the base of the arial lift vehicle that extended to a natural gas line directly underground. The Energy Response team was dispatched for their expertise in working around high-voltage power lines. Rescue 1 was requested to assist in rescuing the lift operator, and the HazMat team responded with their additional air monitoring equipment. 59 firefighters and support staff responded to the incident.
Firefighters put a mixture of water and foam on the fire to prevent it from spreading beyond the aerial lift vehicle. The foam is biodegradable and will dissolve in a few hours. Around 11 a.m., Seattle City Light shut off electricity to the power lines near the aerial lift in order to ensure our firefighters can work safely to rescue the operator. Crews climbed up Ladder 10’s aerial to rescue the lift operator. Once on the ground, the operator was evaluated and reported no injuries. Then Puget Sound Energy worked to secure the natural gas lines in the impacted area. HazMat crews found natural gas inside the adjacent residential building and evacuated all residents as a safety precaution.
By 1:30 p.m., Puget Sound Energy secured the natural gas line, separating fuel from the fire. This enabled our crews to finally extinguish the fire. No injuries were reported, and all evacuated residents are able to return to their homes.
Seattle City Light and Puget Sound Energy are working on restoring electricity and natural gas.