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News and events from the Seattle Fire Department

Overloaded extension cords and outlets caused two fires this week

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overloaded outlet

The Seattle Fire Department responded to two home fires this week that involved overloaded power sources and caused significant property damage. Overloaded outlets and the misuse of extension cords are common electrical issues that can cause a home fire.

Extension cords are designed to provide a temporary power source and should be unplugged when not in use. When shopping for an extension device, look for a power strip or surge protector with an internal circuit breaker that will trip the breaker when overloaded.

How to prevent home fires:

  • Avoid using extension cords. They are meant for temporary use only. They should not be tacked to walls or run under rugs.
  • Never use extension cords with appliances or space heaters. Plug them directly into wall outlets.
  • There should only be one surge protector or power strip plugged into a single duplex electrical outlet.
  • Power strips vary in their capacity but should only be used for items that require light loads such as computers, printers and clocks, for example. They are not made to handle refrigerators or portable heaters.
  • If the extension cord or power strip feels hot to the touch, replace it.
  • Do not connect one extension cord or power strip to another. Also known as “daisy chaining.”
  • Make sure the power strip has been tested by an independent testing agency such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or the Electrical Testing Laboratories (ETL).

Call a qualified electrician or the landlord if you experience any of the following:

  • Frequent problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers
  • A tingling feeling when you touch an electrical appliance
  • Discolored or warm wall outlets
  • A burning or rubbery smell coming from an appliance
  • Flickering or dimming lights
  • Sparks from an outlet

Natural gas leak and vault fire at 2700 Blk. of E. Cherry St.

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SEATTLE – Firefighters responded to the 2700 Blk. of E. Cherry St. on Feb. 24 for a report of flames coming from an underground electrical vault, visible on the sidewalk. When crews arrived on scene, they confirmed that natural gas had ignited above an underground electrical vault, and that an electrical vault across the street also had a smoldering fire (extinguished on its own prior to SFD arrival). The gas had also seeped through asphalt on the sidewalk and surrounding area.

SFD’s Vault Response Team, Puget Sound Energy and Seattle City Light were notified and requested to respond to the scene. Firefighters began to conduct air monitoring in the nearby structures and underground utility systems. Levels of natural gas were found and the incident commander determined 1-block in each direction of the incident needed to be evacuated as a precaution. Approximately 50-75 individuals were evacuated. An AlertSeattle message was sent via text, email and voice to residents in the impacted area (sign-up at alert.seattle.gov).

Seattle City Light was able to quickly shut off power to the immediate area to allow Puget Sound Energy to begin work of securing the gas. King County Metro also responded to shut off power to the trolley lines that ran above the fire. Firefighters applied dry chem to the active natural gas fire, to keep it controlled and prevent it from spreading to a nearby building and power pole.

Around 3 p.m. the gas was secured, and follow-up air monitoring began. Once natural gas levels were deemed safe for the public, the area was reopened and the evacuation order was lifted. There were no injuries reported. Seattle Fire has turned the scene over to Puget Sound Energy and Seattle City Light.

February is heart month: knowing hands-only CPR can save a life

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Are you prepared to help in a medical emergency if someone goes into cardiac arrest? A cardiac patient’s chance of becoming a long-term survivor are more than doubled if a bystander on the scene administers prompt CPR.

Administering hands-only CPR (without breaths) 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.

If you see someone collapse, follow these steps:

  1. CALL 9-1-1 or send someone else to call 9-1-1.
    • Know your location.
    • Send someone to get an AED, if available.
    • Turn on phone speaker if you are alone.
    • If you do not speak English, tell the dispatcher what language you speak. Stay on the phone and turn on speaker.
    • Listen to 9-1-1 and follow the directions they give you, to do CPR. 
  2. Make sure the scene is safe.
  3. 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. Move person to a hard, flat surface
  5. Place one hand on top of the other, in the center of the chest, right between the nipples
  6. Get up directly over the person’s chest locking your arms straight and shoulders aligned over the chest
  7. Lace your fingers together and use only the heel of your hand to push on the center of the chest
  8. Push DOWN hard (at least 2 inches) then let all your weight off the chest so the chest goes all the way back UP to its neutral position
  9. Push HARD and FAST (100-120 times per minute)
  10. Don’t stop until help arrives or take turns with someone if you get tired.

You can save a life by learning hands-only CPR.

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

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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.

February is heart month: Learn about stroke awareness

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February is Heart Month and this week we are highlighting stroke awareness.

Did you know that stroke is a leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of serious disability for adults?  According to the CDC, about 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke each year.

What is a Stroke?

Stroke is a “brain attack” because it affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. When stroke occurs, the affected part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs and starts to die.

What are some stroke symptoms?

If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do the following simple test:

F—Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A—Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S—Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?

T—Time: If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.

Stroke is preventable and treatable

Getting fast treatment is important to preventing death and disability from stroke. Nearly 2 million brain cells die every minute during a stroke. Delaying care for a couple of hours, e.g. to “see if it gets better,” can put patients outside the treatment windows.

More stroke information:

CDC Get more quick facts about stroke.

American Stroke Association – English

American Stroke Association – Spanish

Stroke Awareness Foundation – Multilingual stroke information: English, Español, 中文, Quốc ngữ

Don’t Let Icy Decks (or Stairs or Walkways) Give You the Slip – Frosty Weather Can Still Cause Havoc

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As winter weather makes it presence known, it doesn’t necessarily take a blizzard to make conditions in the Pacific Northwest hazardous.

With so many of us working or going to school at home, it’s especially important to take precautions around the house. Freezing nighttime temperatures combined with moisture on decks, stairs and walkways, can result in icy conditions that can quickly give you the slip. Keep yourself upright by following these tips:

Use extra caution when conditions gets frosty.
  • If you can, stay indoors until conditions improve.
  • Prevent ice from forming with ice melt. Sprinkle an even layer on outside stairs, decks and walkways when the forecast calls for low overnight temperatures. Ice melt is considered a safer option around children and pets.
  • If ice has already formed, use rock salt or de-icer, to cut through what is there. De-icer begins melting ice as soon as it is applied but loses effectiveness in sub-freezing temperatures.
  • If the weather catches you by surprise and you or your pets must go out, spread sand or kitty litter to create traction and help prevent slipping. It doesn’t melt the ice, but it can provide extra grip.
  • Before stepping out, consider covering steps or ramps with a non-skid runner.
  • Wear proper footwear – rubber or neoprene composite soles provide better traction than leather or plastic.
  • Add traction cleats or ice grips onto the bottom of your shoes. These items go by many names, depending on brand and manufacturer.
  • Take small steps and walk carefully. Avoid a rigid or marching posture.
  • Keep your hands out of your pockets and avoid carrying heavy loads.
  • When entering or exiting a vehicle, hold onto the vehicle for support.
Consider adding ice cleats over your shoes to prevent slipping on ice.

Just a little advanced planning and forethought can greatly reduce your change of slipping up when it comes to icy weather. Stay safe out there!

Know the warning signs of a heart attack

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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

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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

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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 .