Fireline Blog Seattle Fire Department

Fire Line

News and events from the Seattle Fire Department

2-Alarm fire near the Seattle Center

by

Photo by John Odegard

SEATTLE — Just before 4 p.m. on June 8, our Fire Alarm Center received multiple calls reporting heavy smoke coming from a vacant building on the 500 block of Harrison St. When crews arrived on scene, bystanders informed them there might be a person still inside on the 2nd floor of the building on fire. Firefighters acted quickly to attack the fire and search the building, but as they made entry they encountered high heat, heavy smoke and unstable floors. Due to the deteriorating conditions, crews were forced to retreat back outside to a defensive position. They utilized thermal imaging cameras to peer through the smoke billowing from the windows and were unable to locate a person in the building.

By 4:23 p.m., the response was upgraded to a 2-alarm fire in which 10 fire engines, 5 ladder trucks and additional support units were dispatched. In total, 94 fire personnel responded. Crews spent hours pouring water on the fire while Puget Sound Energy secured natural gas and Seattle City Light shut off electricity to the building.

The incident commander began demobilizing units around 7 p.m., but as of 9 p.m., two fire engines and a ladder truck remain on scene to extinguish flare ups.

The incident is currently under investigation and no injuries were reported at this time.

6/9 UPDATE: Fire investigators ruled the incident as undetermined because they are unable to safely enter the building due to concerns of structural collapse.

Fire in West Seattle neighborhood

by

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.

Trial by fire for Seattle’s newest firefighters

by

The Seattle Fire Department will train new firefighter recruits at a vacant home near the Sunset Hill and Loyal Heights neighborhoods from May 4-6 at 2904 NW 80th St. Live-fire training is an opportunity for our new fire recruits to work with our officers and face real fire scenarios in a controlled setting. This experience is vital to the development of new recruits as these fires act as a final evaluation of what they have learned over the past 13 weeks of training and focus on fire attack, teamwork and communication.

We conduct this training exercise twice a year in the City and make every effort to minimize the impact on the neighborhood. Local streets will be closed to ensure the safety of the community as well as the firefighters in training. From 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the three days of training, 29th Ave. NW, in between Loyal Way NW and NW 80th St will be closed. Parking along the curbs of both sides of 29th Ave. NW. 100-feet east and west of the houses will be cordoned off. Firefighters will help direct access to that block for residents in the immediate area. We recognize that this training exercise may present inconveniences to your daily schedules and we thank you for your patience and understanding. Our firefighters are among the best in the nation because of the training we are able to provide and because of the support we receive from our community.

On each day, we plan to have 4-5 fire evolutions spread throughout the day each lasting 15-20 minutes. Residents will see smoke as controlled burns are set inside the vacant structures. All carpet, plastics and toxic synthetic materials have been removed along with required asbestos abatement. The training officers will set wood fires in a controlled method with safety officers on-hand during the exercises. This training is conducted under the strict regulations and rules of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. The smoke coming from the buildings during the live-fire is equivalent to smoke from a fireplace. After the fires are out, most of what you see coming from the structure is steam.

Neighbors are welcome to come and watch the live-fire training. Typical training days begin around 7 a.m. with the live-fire training starting at 9 a.m. and lasting until 5 p.m. Any questions can be directed to SFD’s Public Affairs division at sfdpio@seattle.gov.

Fatal fire in the Central District

by

Seattle – At 5:22 p.m., dispatchers received multiple calls reporting a fire in a two-story residence at the 1600 block of 18th Ave. Engine 25 and Ladder 10 both arrived first on scene and confirmed a working fire with flames and heavy smoke visible from the front-right corner of the home. Neighbors informed the crews that the home had a single occupant who was unaccounted for.

Crews from Engine 25 worked quickly to pour water on the fire while additional firefighters conducted a primary search of the entire home. Unfortunately, they found a deceased adult male inside the fire room. Crews knocked down the primary fire within 15 minutes of first arrival and were able to fully extinguish it within half an hour.

Our investigators are working alongside SPD on determining the cause of the fire. No additional injuries were reported.

April 8 UPDATE: Our investigators determined the fire was accidental and likely caused by a portable space heater placed too close to combustible materials. For safety, we recommend placing portable heaters at least 3 feet away from all combustible materials such as curtains, blankets and furniture.

Apartment fire in Capitol Hill neighborhood results in 2 residents and 1 firefighter injured

by

SEATTLE, Feb. 15 — At 11:33 a.m., our Fire Alarm Center received multiple reports of a fire in a 4th floor apartment unit on the 500 Block of Boylston Ave. E.. Engine 25 and Ladder 10 were the first units on scene and reported two people were sitting on window ledges from a 4th floor unit adjacent to the fire room. Crews from Ladder 10 hoisted a ladder up to rescue them. Both did not report any injuries.

Engine 25 reported smoke in the 3rd floor stairwell as they made their way up to the 4th. The 4th floor hallway contained heavy smoke and crews helped evacuate an approx. 30 year-old-male from fire room along with an approx. 20 year-old-female in a nearby unit—both are in stable condition and were transported to a hospital for further medical care. Firefighters then entered the fire room to pour water on the fire while conducting a primary search of all impacted units. No additional people required evacuation while firefighters advised several residents to shelter-in-place and close their hallway doors to prevent further smoke from entering their unit.

Crews quickly extinguished the fire and confirmed no extension into other units. Then they proceeded to check with the residents that were advised to shelter in place. One resident (70 year-old-male) requested a medical evaluation and paramedics confirmed he sustained no injuries.

One firefighter sustained minor injuries. A total of 60 SFD personnel consisting of five Fire Engines, three Ladder Trucks and ten support units responded to the incident. The incident is under investigation.

Updated Feb. 15: Fire investigators determined the incident was accidental and caused by unoccupied food-on-stove. Estimated damage is $70,000.

Know the warning signs of a heart attack

by

1.5 million Americans will suffer a heart attack or stroke every year, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Learn the signs of a heart attack because early detection and fast action can save lives. While some heart attacks are sudden and intense, most start slowly with mild pain or discomfort. Pay attention to your body and call 911 if you experience any of these heart attack warning signs:

  • Chest discomfort: pressure, pain or discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes. The pain may go away and then return.
  • Discomfort in other areas of the upper body: pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck or stomach.
  • Shortness of breath: can occur with or without chest discomfort.
  • Other possible signs: breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Below are more more resources on learning hands-only CPR for if you witness someone collapse or suffer a heart attack:

February is Black History Month

by

February is Black History Month, and we’d like to share this video about the King County Fire Chiefs Association’s promise for equity in public safety. We are listening to our communities and stand united in support of a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce and community. In 2017 our association established a Diversity Subcommittee, which was created to recruit, hire and retain a workforce that reflects the diversity of our county. This committee is dedicated to being an active voice in addressing and breaking down barriers that disproportionately impact Black and underserved communities, and we know there is more work to be done.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year safely

by

COVID-19 safety guidelines have prohibited large gatherings, but many families will be celebrating at home for this Lunar New Year (Feb. 12).

Celebrations mean cooking and sharing food. Cooking related fires remain the main cause of fires during holidays and celebrations.

When cooking:

  • Most fires start from cooking left unattended. Always use a timer when cooking and never leave the kitchen area, especially when cooking with oil.
  • If a pot or pan is on fire, cover it with a lid or flat metal pan. Do not throw water on a grease fire.

If using incense and candles:

  • Use battery powered candles instead of wax candles to be extra safe.
  • Keep incense and candles away from drapes, pillows, bedding and anything that can burn!
  • Burn incense or candles in a sturdy, heat resistant container.
  • Put incense and candles out before leaving the room or before going to bed.

Smoke/Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms:

  • Install smoke and CO alarms on every level of your home
  • Smoke alarms should never be disabled. Use a dish towel to stop the alarm from beeping if cooking smoke sets it off.
  • Test the smoke alarm by pushing the test button every 2 months. Replace battery yearly.
  • When the smoke alarm goes off, that is the signal to follow the escape plan. Get out and call 9-1-1 from a safe location.

Fireworks & Firecrackers:

  • Firecrackers are loud. Use earmuffs or earplugs, especially for children.
  • Leave all fireworks activities to the professionals. Fireworks are not allowed in Seattle except for certain ceremonial purposes with a permit from the Seattle Fire Department .

February is heart month: learn CPR and download PulsePoint

by

Knowing how to perform hands-only CPR (without breaths) can save a life. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, you should know the risk of infection is low. According to the Seattle Fire Department Medical Director, Dr. Michael Sayre, “performing Hands-Only CPR is essential to help buy precious time for help to arrive. Even if the victim has a contagious disease (and few victims of sudden collapse are contagious), your risk of catching anything is quite low since you are not giving mouth-to-mouth breaths.”

Around 70% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen at home so you’re more likely to perform hands-only CPR on someone you know. A cardiac patient’s chance of becoming a long-term survivor are more than doubled if a someone on the scene administers prompt CPR.

Administering hands-only CPR is a simple technique that only takes a few minutes to learn. Watch this short video to learn the steps for performing hands-only CPR – you could save a life.

Download the PulsePoint App

We partnered with PulsePoint, a free mobile app used to alert Seattle residents when a person is suffering from sudden cardiac arrest in their immediate vicinity. We encourage you to learn CPR and download the PulsePoint App onto your mobile phone.

If you see someone collapse, follow these steps:

  1. Call 911 – Give specific information to the dispatcher, starting with the location. Is an AED available? If so, send someone to retrieve it and use it as soon as you can.
  2. Make sure the scene is safe
  3. Quickly determine if the person needs CPR – If the person is not responsive or not breathing normally – tap them on the shoulder and shout, “Are you ok. Are you ok?” If the person doesn’t move, speak, blink, or otherwise react, then he or she is not responding.
  4. Begin Chest Compressions – Use two hands, with straight arms, and push down hard and fast in the center of the chest. Make sure compressions are at least 2-inches deep, and are at the rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
  5. Don’t stop compressions until help arrives or take turns with someone if you get tired

More CPR/AED Resources:

Firefighters rescue teen in residential fire in Beacon Hill neighborhood

by

Photo courtesy of KOMO 4 News

The incident is currently under investigation. Information on this fire has been shared with the Seattle Police Department for a follow-up investigation.

Seattle — Jan. 22 at 3:58 a.m.: Our fire alarm center received 911 calls reporting a fire in a 2-story residence at the 9300 Block of 39th Ave. S.. Engines 28 and 33 along with Ladder 12 were the first on scene and confirmed flames coming out of a window near the main entrance to the home. Four occupants were able to safely evacuate on their own and immediately informed our firefighters that a fifth occupant was still inside on the second floor.

Firefighters from Engines 28 and 33 poured water onto the fire as they gained entrance into the home to search to the remaining occupant. They found the patient on the second floor and crews from Ladder 12 removed him from the burning building to rendezvous with Medic 28. Paramedics then performed lifesaving efforts on the patient while loading him into their ambulance to transport him to Harborview Medical Center. The patient is an approx. 14 year-old-male who is in critical condition.

Firefighters had the fire under control within 20 minutes from the first units arriving on scene. Crews conducted additional searches within the home and confirmed no additional occupants were inside. We evaluated three of the four occupants that originally evacuated and none required hospitalization. No additional injuries were reported. Estimated damage is $350,000.