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News and events from the Seattle Fire Department

Early morning fire in the International District

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Photo by John Odegard

Firefighters responded to a reported fire in a building located at 308 4th Avenue South just after 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday. When firefighters arrived on the scene they found smoke and flames coming from a restaurant on the first floor of the nine story building called the Downtowner Apartments. Firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the fire and they were able to contain the fire to the first floor. Smoke from the fire spread into apartments on the seventh, eighth and ninth floors of the building, and due to smoke conditions, some residents were evacuated. Two Metro busses were brought to the scene to shelter the evacuated residents until they could be allowed back into their homes.

One elderly male was transported to the hospital in a private ambulance for treatment of respiratory issues and one firefighter was transported to Harborview for a knee injury. Fire Investigators determined that the fire was accidental, caused by an electrical problem in the restaurant. Damage was estimated at $250,000.

Baseboard heater fire causes $65,000 in damage

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Early Saturday morning firefighters responded to a fire in an apartment in Queen Anne. The residents got out safely and firefighters put the fire out quickly, but the fire still caused $65,000 in damage to the apartment. Fire Investigators determined that the fire was caused by a baseboard heater that came into contact with combustible materials. Fires caused by furniture, bedding, and other materials placed too close to baseboard heaters and portable heaters are the most common types of heating-related residential fires.

Here are a few tips to keep your home heating safe this winter:

• Give your heaters space – Do not put anything next to a heater.
• Never use an extension cord with a portable heater.
• Make sure your portable heater is tested by an independent testing laboratory and has an automatic shut off feature if it tips over.
• Turn portable heaters off before leaving the room or before going to bed.
• Clean or replace heating furnace filters regularly.
• Never permit electrical cords to drape across heaters.
• Inspect all heating equipment yearly and always hire an experienced electrician to do any necessary repair work on your baseboard heaters.

Click on this image to see the proper and improper distance between baseboard heaters and combustible materials:

The "Do's and Don'ts" of baseboard heaters

Fore more on home fire safety, visit http://www.seattle.gov/fire/pubEd/homesafety/homeFireSafety.htm

Fire Destroys Vacant North Seattle House

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Fire by John Odegard

Photo by John Odegard

Firefighters responded to a report of a house fire at NE 105th Street and 35th Avenue NE just after 9:40 p.m. on Monday night.  When firefighters arrived on the scene they saw smoke and flames coming from the second story of the two story house. Neighbors reported that the house was vacant. The fire was initially fought from the outside of the house until additional resources arrived on scene, and then the decision was made to send firefighters inside the house for an offensive attack. The fire was out in a little over an hour. Firefighters confirmed that there were no people inside. There were no injuries.  Fire crews were kept on scene overnight for fire watch.

Fire Investigators determined that this fire was intentionally set.  Damage was estimated at $220,000. Seattle Police Department will handle the criminal investigation.

Photo by John Odegard

Photo by John Odegard

Careful with Candles – Holiday Fire Safety Tips

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December is the peak month for candle fires. Here are a few tips to keep you and your family safe when using candles:

  • Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or before going to sleep.
  • Always use a candleholder specifically designed for candle use. The holder should be heat resistant, sturdy and large enough to contain any drips or melted wax.
  • Place lighted candles where they won’t be knocked over by children, pets or anyone else.
  • Keep burning candles away from items that can catch on fire such as furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, etc.

Fore more holiday fire safety tips – visit: http://seattle.gov/fire/pubEd/holiday/default.htm

Firefighters Move into New Fire Station 28

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New 28's 1 - John Odegard Photo_SMALLLast week, firefighters at Fire Station 28 in the Rainier Valley moved into a brand new fire station, located at 5968 Rainier Avenue South. Fire Station 28 houses Engine 28, Ladder 12 and Medic 28 and is one of the busiest stations in the City. Ten firefighters live and work at Station 28, 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. Firefighters working at Station 28 went on nearly 6,000 emergency responses in 2008.

The new Station 28 is nearly double the size of the old station.  Space is important, because over the years, fire engines and trucks have grown in size. The new apparatus bay is large enough to comfortably accommodate modern Seattle Fire Department engines and trucks. The new station also has a drive through garage – so firefighters can drive through the back to park in the station and exit the station through the front, instead of backing into a tight space off of busy Rainier Avenue.

Additional space gives crews room to work on equipment, wash the engines and store their gear. The new station also has an area designated for decontamination – so firefighters can safely clean off toxic materials that cover their gear at fire and medical responses.

Improved comforts inside the living area of the station include individual bunkrooms, so firefighters can rest and decompress during busy shifts and an open watch office in the front – with room for the station library which is full of training materials.

This is the first neighborhood fire station completed as part of the Fire Facilities and Emergency Response Levy, passed by Seattle voters in 2003. More information on Fire Levy projects is available at http://www.seattle.gov/fleetsfacilities/firelevy/.

Two Alarm Marina Fire Causes $2 million in Damage

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Firefighters responded to a reported boat fire at 1818 Westlake Avenue North at 3:20 a.m. Tuesday morning. When the first unit arrived on the scene they saw a 30 to 40 foot motor yacht on fire with many other vessels close by and in danger of catching fire. Land crews made access to the fire via the dock and worked to keep the fire from spreading. They protected other vessels in the marina, including cutting boats loose from their slips to move them away from the fire. Firefighters got the fire under control within about 30 minutes. Nearly 100 Seattle Firefighters responded and Seattle Police Harbor Patrol assisted with the effort.

The fire damaged three boats and part of the dock. Firefighters were faced with slippery conditions on land and on the dock as cold temperatures made water from fire hoses freeze as soon as it hit the ground. A firefighter fell in the water and a Seattle Police Harbor Patrol Officer jumped in to help get him out. Another firefighter fell in the water later. All three got out quickly and were not injured. There were no people aboard the boats and no injuries.

Fire Investigators determined that the fire was accidental – caused by an electrical failure. Damage was estimated at $2 million.

Tips for a Safe Holiday Season – Christmas Lights

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xmaslight1Over the weekend, a house fire in Seattle was caused by an overloaded electrical outlet that had multiple strings of Christmas lights plugged into it. The fire caused $20,000 in damage. Every year, Christmas trees and lighting-related fires spike in December and January. Cords and plugs are the leading type of equipment involved Christmas tree fires.

Before you hang up holiday lights this year, Seattle Fire Department wants to remind you to make sure you take the following steps:

  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use decorative lights.
  • Do not use any string lights with worn, frayed or broken cords or loose bulbs .
  • Do not connect more than three light strands together.
  • To avoid damage to the cord, do not use nails or staples to hang lights.
  • Always unplug tree lights before leaving home or going to sleep.

 For more tips on holiday fire safety – visit:  http://www.seattle.gov/fire/pubEd/holiday

Morning Triplex Fire Ruled Accidental

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Firefighters responded to a report of smoke coming from a building located at 7313 Fauntleroy Way SW at 4:53 a.m. this morning. When they arrived on the scene they found smoke coming from the second story of a two story triplex. They quickly attacked the fire and performed a search of the structure. Firefighters determined that the unit where the fire occurred was vacant and all other occupants of the triplex got out safely. One firefighter was transported to Harborview Medical Center with minor injuries. Fire Investigators determined that the fire was accidental – caused by overheated electrical wiring in the ceiling. Damage was estimated at $250,000.

Safety Tip – How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

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Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that can cause severe illness or death. Carbon Monoxide is found in combustion fumes, such as those produced by cars and trucks, small gasoline engines, stoves, lanterns, burning charcoal and wood, and gas ranges and heating systems.

To prevent CO poisoning:

  •  Never use the following inside homes, garages and other closed spaces, or outside an open window: generators, charcoal grill, camp stove, vehicle or other gas engine.
  •  Never use gas ovens to heat your home, even for a short time.
  •  If you use a fireplace or wood stove, make sure that chimneys and flues are in good condition and are not blocked.
  •  Make certain smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are installed on every level of your home and outside every sleeping area. Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.

If the CO detector sounds, turn off heating appliance and open windows to get fresh air. Call a qualified technician to fix the problem before restarting the appliance. Call 911 if you experience CO poisoning symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting, or headaches and move to fresh air immediately.

To learn more visit:
http://www.seattle.gov/fire/pubEd/brochures/carbon%20monoxide.pdf

http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/preparedness/disaster/carbon-monoxide-english.aspx