Fire investigators have completed their investigation into the cause of the four alarm fire that occurred in a vacant warehouse earlier this week at 4200 Airport Way South. They determined that the accidental fire was caused by a camp stove in use on the first floor of the building that came in contact with combustible materials. The damage estimate is $150,000 for the cost of some items that were stored in the building. There is no dollar loss for the structure because it is scheduled for demolition.

The fire call came in just after 1:45 p.m. on Monday at the old Sunny Jim Plant. Black smoke was pouring from the second floor of the building when firefighters arrived on scene.  Several businesses immediately north of the warehouse were evacuated and lanes of I-5 were shut down for a short time because of heavy smoke.

One firefighter suffered a fractured ankle after a piece of exterior siding collapsed on him. He was treated at Harborview Medical Center and has since been released.  There were no other injuries.

Fire investigators met this morning with structural engineers at the scene of Monday’s four alarm fire. The engineers took a preliminary look at the building and determined that it was safe for investigators to enter some parts of the building. Other parts of the building will need further evaluation. Various portions of the warehouse were constructed over the years with different building materials – some sections were made of heavy timber and brick, while others were constructed with concrete and steel.

At this point, investigators are evaluating some portions of the building, conducting witness interviews, taking photos and gathering information. The Seattle Police Department Arson Bomb Squad and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are providing additional resources to assist the Seattle Fire Department.  Due to the tremendous amount of fire damage and the size of the building, the investigation is expected to take several days if not longer.

The firefighter who was injured in yesterday’s fire is stable and resting at Harborview Medical Center. The 37 year veteran of the Department suffered an ankle fracture when he was hit by siding that fell from the side of the building.

Seattle Firefighters will keep a fire watch over night at the scene of a four alarm fire that came in just after 1:45 this afternoon at the old Sunny Jim Plant at 4200 Airport Way South. Black smoke was pouring from the second floor of the vacant warehouse when firefighters arrived on scene.  Several businesses immediately north of the warehouse were evacuated and lanes of I-5 were shut down for a short time because of heavy smoke. Over 120 firefighters responded to the fire including a task force of firefighters from Bellevue, Woodinville and Redmond.

One firefighter was injured after a piece of exterior siding collapsed on him.  He was transported to Harborview Medical Center with an ankle fracture where he is in stable condition.  There were no other injuries.

Fire investigators are expected to begin their investigation in the morning after the remaining hot spots in the warehouse have been extinguished.  A structural engineer will be brought in to determine the safety of the building before anyone is allowed inside.

Nearly 100 Seattle firefighters responded to a three-alarm ship fire this morning aboard the fishing vessel Artic Dawn which was docked in the Ship Canal in the 1300 block of West Nickerson Street. The call came in just before 2 a.m. and when firefighters arrived on the scene there was heavy smoke and flames shooting from the 100 foot fishing vessel. One person who had been on the boat was able to get off safely on his own and there were no injuries.

Firefighters attacked the fire from both land and water, utilizing extensive hose lines to pump water to the fire from the land side. Engine 1, a Seattle fireboat and Patrol 4, a Seattle Police boat both assisted with efforts from the water side. Firefighters got water on the fire quickly and protected the Kodiak, an adjacent vessel that was threatened by the fire. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the Artic Dawn and it appears that most of the fire damage occurred on the super structure of the vessel but did not spread below the deck of the boat.

Fire Investigators are on the scene and will work to determine a cause and damage estimate. Biodegradable firefighting foam was used in the firefighting effort and there was foam in the water around the vessel. Firefighters were working with representatives from the State Department of Ecology and the Coast Guard to monitor for any potential environmental hazards. There was no oil leaking from the vessel. Several fire units will remain on the scene through the morning on fire watch.

Just after 6:00 a.m. this morning, firefighters responded to a garage fire in the 5400 block of 23^rd Avenue SW. When firefighters arrived, there was heavy smoke and flames coming from a large detached garage. Firefighters attacked the fire and worked to prevent it from spreading to other structures. The fire did not extend to the house. Residents were home at the time of the fire and they got out of the house safely. There were no injuries. Several vehicles inside the garage suffered extensive damage and there was minor damage to a car parked in the alley behind the garage.

Fire Investigators determined that the fire was accidental – caused by an electrical malfunction. The damage estimate is $100,000.