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News and events from the Seattle Fire Department

Seattle Fire Department to Canvas Mobile Home Park in Haller Lake with Smoke Alarms

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In an effort to increase the number of homes with working smoke alarms, on Saturday, September 12 Seattle firefighters will go door-to-door installing smoke alarms and replacing smoke alarm batteries in a mobile home park in the Haller Lake neighborhood. The canvas will begin at North 125th Street and Stone Ave. N.

Nationally, over 20% of homes do not have working smoke alarms and most deaths caused by fire happen in homes without working smoke alarms. A working smoke alarm can cut the risk of death by half in a residential fire.

Seattle homeowners who do not receive a visit from the Seattle Fire Department on September 12 can contact the Seattle Fire Department Public Education Office at 206.386.1337 to see if they qualify for a free smoke alarm installation. To learn more about smoke alarms visit: http://www.seattle.gov/fire/pubEd/smokealarms/smokeAlarms.htm.

Arson Investigation

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Seattle Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit has determined that a series of fires in the Greenwood Neighborhood were intentionally set. The Seattle Police Department is handling the criminal investigations. At least four fires have been set in the area in the past two months. Three of those fires occurred in the last week. There are no suspects at this time and investigators have not determined that these fires are connected; however, the Seattle Fire Department and the Seattle Police Department want to inform residents and give them arson prevention tips. Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the Arson Alarm Hotline number at 1-800-55-ARSON.

Later today, firefighters will distribute Arson Watch Flyers with tips on steps individuals can take to make a difference in protecting their home or business.

August 13 – 100 Block of NW 84th Street

Set fire spread to a home at approximately 4:31 p.m. A 50-year old male suffered burns and was transported to Harborview Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Damage to the home totaled $170,000.

August 13 – 1100 Block of N 98th Street
Set fire in a first floor office of a mixed use commercial/residential building at 3:21 a.m. Two occupants of an apartment above the office were able to exit the building safely. Firefighters arrived to find a small fire in the office area on the first floor. Damage to the business totaled $15,000.

August 12 – 7700 Block of Greenwood Ave North
Fire set on the exterior of a three story residence at 1:33 p.m. There were no people inside the house and the fire was concentrated on the exterior of the building. Damage was estimated at $100.

June 19 – 8700 Block of Greenwood Avenue North
Fire set in the basement of a vacant and closed restaurant around 10:00 p.m. There were no people inside the building and no injuries as a result of this fire. Damage was estimated at $500.

Dry Weather Fire Safety

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So far in the month of July, the Seattle Fire Department has responded to more than 150 warm weather-related fires involving dry grass, bark and shrubs. Seattle residents can help reduce the chance of such outdoor fires by following a few simple steps:

• Remove long grass, weeds or anything that can burn from around your home. This includes limbs that touch your home or hang near the roof.

• Remove dead plants or bushes as soon as possible.

• Clear roof and gutters of needles and leaves.

• Make sure cigarettes have cooled completely before throwing them out. Carelessly discarded cigarettes can easily start a fire in dry conditions.

For a Summer Fire Safety Fact Sheet, visit: http://www.seattle.gov/fire/pubEd/brochures/Summer%20Safety.pdf

Photo by West Seattle Blog

Firefighters douse a brush fire in West Seattle. Photo by West Seattle Blog

Photo by West Seattle Blog

There have been more than 150 brush and bark fires in the City of Seattle since July 1. Photo by West Seattle Blog

Plan a Safe Fourth of July

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With Fourth of July around the corner, the Seattle Fire Department would like to remind the public that there are no legal fireworks in the City of Seattle. Fireworks present a safety risk to those who use them and a fire hazard to property. Every year, the Seattle Fire Department responds to fireworks-related fires and injuries, and each and every one of these incidents could be avoided.

Seattle Statistics:

• Between January 2000 and July 2008, the Seattle Fire Department responded to 137 fireworks related fires.

• The estimated cost of damages for fireworks related fires between January 2000 and July 2008 amounted to nearly one million dollars.

• In 2005, at least 15 Seattle residents were treated at hospitals due to fireworks-related injuries.

• The City Council’s 1993 decision to ban fireworks has dramatically reduced the number of fires and injuries caused by fireworks.

Any fireworks related fires or injuries should be reported directly to 911, however, on July 4, 911 centers become overloaded with non-emergency fireworks calls. Do not call 911 unless you have a life-threatening emergency and need help from police, fire or medics. Unnecessary 911 calls block people with real emergencies from reaching 911 to get help. Fireworks violations can be reported to the Seattle Police non-emergency number at (206) 625-5011.