Photo by John Odegard SEATTLE – At 12:55 a.m., the Seattle Fire Department’s Fire Alarm Center received 911 calls reporting a fire in a commercial warehouse in the 4500 block of 7th Ave. S. in the Industrial District. Engines 13 and 27 were the first units on scene and reported a fire involving two tractor trailers and the commercial warehouse with a large column of black smoke rising into the sky.
Large plastic and metal barrels were found inside the trailer and surrounding the building. It was unknown if the barrels were empty or what substance they may have contained. This prompted firefighters to maintain a defensive position by putting water on the fire at a safe distance away from the trailers and the building. An AlertSeattle notification was sent within a half-mile radius to advise residents to close their windows and doors to avoid smoke.
At 1:06 a.m., the incident was upgraded to a 2-alarm fire, then to a 3-alarm six minutes later. Fifteen fire engines, seven ladder trucks, Rescue 1 and additional command or support units responded to the incident, comprising of 115 personnel.
Firefighters utilized multiple 2.5″ hose lines to put water on the fire while several ladder trucks raised their aerials to gain elevated vantage points. Additional crews searched adjacent buildings and confirmed no occupants were inside.
At 1:15 a.m., firefighters reported the roof of the commercial warehouse collapsed, making it unsafe for personnel to enter the remnants of the structure. Crews were able to get the fire under control by 2:07 a.m., then declared extinguished at 3:22 a.m.
A unit will remain on scene for fire watch. No injuries were reported. The incident is under investigation.
