Every spring and summer as the weather warms up and building rooftops amenities get more use, we see an increase in the number of rooftop building fires.

Between September 2017 and September 2018, the Seattle Fire Department responded to 8 significant rooftop amenity fires. The total estimated loss for these fires was $468,000. The most common cause of these fires was improperly discarded smoking materials.

Even though smoking is not allowed on rooftops, Fire Investigators frequently find cigarette butts in planter boxes and in garbage cans. It is important to never discard cigarettes in vegetation such as mulch, potted plants or landscaping, peat moss, dried grasses, leaves or other things that could ignite easily. A small cigarette butt in dry conditions can turn into a major fire.

Grilling on Rooftops

July is the peak month for grill fires which are another common rooftop fire issue during the summer months. The leading ignition factors in grill fires are mechanical failure or malfunction, combustibles placed too close to the heat, and cooking left on the grill unattended.

If your rooftop has cooking grills available, make sure you know the following:

Setting up:

• Barbecue grills are designed for outdoor use only. Never barbecue in an enclosed area – dangerous carbon monoxide (CO) can accumulate and be deadly. If you suspect CO poisoning, call 911.
• Set-up your grill in an open area at least 10 feet away from buildings, overhead combustible surfaces, dry leaves and brush.
• Make sure all of the grilling parts are firmly in place and the grill is on a flat surface.
• The Seattle Fire Department recommends the use of one-pound propane cylinders as the least hazardous fuel source for outdoor grills.
• For propane grills, make sure the hose connection is tight and check the hoses for leaks.

During use:

• Never leave grills unattended while cooking.
• Keep a three-foot zone around the grill where children and pets aren’t allowed.
• Do not leave starter fluid, lighters or matches within the reach of children.
• Use the proper tools. Long handled barbecue utensils and flame retardant mitts will prevent burns from heat and flame.
• For charcoal grills, avoid adding lighter fluid after the coals are lit.

Cleaning up:

• For propane grills, turn the grill and fuel cylinder off immediately after grilling.

For charcoal grills, allow coals to cool for 48 hours before disposing. If you are not able to wait, douse coals with plenty of water, and stir them to ensure that the fire is out.

Outdoor grilling handout

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Seattle – The Seattle Fire Department, in partnership with the Seattle Public Library, has brought back the popular summer Firefighter Story Times series.

Seattle firefighters will be at eight local branches in July and August to teach fire safety through the endearing story of a little girl who befriends a real, fire-breathing dragon to teach about fire safety smarts.

After each read-along, firefighters get dressed in their protective firefighting gear – one piece at a time – to teach the children not to be scared if they ever need to be rescued by a firefighter. The program ends with a tour of the crew’s fire engine that’s outside.

This fire safety education program is geared toward children between 3 and 5 years old.

Visit us on NextDoor and Facebook for the specific dates, times and library locations.

Sunshine, warm weather and the long days of summer make Independence Day the perfect time to hang out with friends and family. While fireworks are an amazing spectacle to enjoy, we recommend observing from a safe distance and leaving it to the professionals.

Last year, there were 209 fireworks related injuries in Washington State. The most common were caused by holding fireworks once lit—with adults present. Think sparklers are harmless? Think again. Sparklers burn at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to melt aluminum and cause third degree burns!

In addition, 92 fires were reported due to fireworks use; resulting in a loss of more than $160,000. Please be safe and legal this 4th of July by not using consumer fireworks!

Call 9-1-1 if you witness a fire caused by fireworks or suffer a serious injury. To report the illegal use of fireworks, please call the Seattle Police Department’s non-emergency number: (206) 625-5011.

SEATTLE – Firefighters and apparatus stationed at Fire Station 31 (1319 N. Northgate Way) have been temporarily relocated to neighboring fire stations to allow for further mold testing of the facility. This move took place June 18 and remains in effect.

The Seattle Fire Department is committed to responding quickly to emergencies and is closely monitoring response times. Fire crews have been moved to the nearest neighboring stations surrounding the Station 31 service area: 

• Ladder 5 to Station 39 (four firefighters)
• Medic 31 to Station 35 (two firefighter/paramedics)
• Aid 31 to Station 24 (two firefighters but on 12-hour shifts)
• Engine 31 to Station 17 (four firefighters)

As of June 25, the department has not seen a significant delay in response times. Based on analytics, the department predicts that delays of up to one minute could be possible during this relocation. 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Firefighters have a dangerous job. The dangers they face don’t just include the fires they fight and the buildings that may collapse, but also the chemicals, toxins, and carcinogens released by the fires they fight. Because of this, firefighters can suffer a range of resulting diseases that can reduce their quality of life and life expectancy. As a result, Seattle is committed to monitoring our dedicated workers and ensuring we don’t have any elevated problems because of their working conditions. 

Due to the incidences of cancer among firefighters who have worked at Fire Station 31 at some point in their careers, the Seattle Fire Department and Local 27, Seattle Fire Fighters Union have been working with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to research firefighter cancer rates for current and retired firefighters who have worked at that station. This study is expected to be complete in early 2020.  

As part of the City’s work to ensure the safety and well-being of SFD members, the City has conducted environmental testing of Station 31 five times over the last 15 years. As recently as 2018, that analysis included testing for common environmental toxins known to cause cancer. Experts have indicated the building is safe for the SFD members assigned to it, as the previous testing did not identify problems with carcinogens at the station. Similar testing in 2016 did not find harmful levels of mold and bacteria. 

Testing by the Seattle Fire Fighters Union, Local 27 contractor (REALTIME Labs) 

In the last several weeks, Local 27 performed additional testing of Station 31 through a company called REALTIME Labs. Local 27 then shared the results of three of nine samples taken with the department and City, which indicated there may be mycotoxins (a byproduct of some molds) in some locations inside the building.  

Testing by the City’s contractors  

Mayor Durkan and Chief Scoggins immediately directed the Finance and Administrative Services Department to work in partnership with the fire department to conduct additional testing of the facility by a third-party company called NVL Laboratories, which specializes in industrial hygiene. NVL Laboratories conducted testing at Station 31 on June 18 for mycotoxins and mold spores using a combination of surface and air sampling. A second City-contracted company, Kester Clear Environmental Solutions, also conducted testing for mycotoxins on June 21.  

Initial Results from NVL  

The City received a report from NVL Laboratories on June 19 which analyzed three of nine samples for mycotoxins that Local 27 had received from REALTIME Labs. The NVL Laboratories report also includes results from the mold sampling NVL conducted on June 18. As noted in the initial report, “the results of the dust mycotoxin sampling demonstrate that there are mold spores present in the settled dust in the facility. The air sample results show that the airborne spore levels in the facility are normal and typical for an indoor environment.”  

Further testing 

There are only two labs in the nation that analyze mycotoxins. We anticipate the results to arrive within 10 business days. 

Health 

The City has engaged local and state public health experts to provide information about molds and mycotoxins, which will help inform next steps. 

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As we learn more, we will provide updates about the facility testing and relocation of Fire Station 31 on this blog. 

6/25 Update: Results from REALTIME Labs for the remaining six samples were received by Local 27 and provided to the City. Those are being analyzed by NVL Laboratories now.

With the stretch of warm weather expected in the coming weeks, here are a few tips for enjoying the heat safely. Have fun, but remember to stay safe!

Reduce the chance of outdoor fires around your home and yard:

• Carelessly discarded cigarettes and other smoking materials can easily start a fire in dry conditions. Douse smoking materials in water before tossing out. Make sure proper disposal canisters are available in areas where smoking is allowed.
• Remove long grass, weeds or anything that can burn from around buildings. This includes limbs that touch buildings or hang near the roof.
• The risk of mulch fires is more common than one might expect. When possible, keep beauty beds moist. Provide a minimum of 18-inch clearance between landscaping mulch beds and combustible materials.

Grill, fire pit and campfire safety:

• Keep a three-foot child and pet safety zone around your grill and fire pit.
• Only use your grill outside on a non-combustible surface and at least 10 feet away from siding, deck rails and open doors or windows.
• Keep an eye on your grill, fire pit or patio torches – never leave them unattended.
• When finished, turn off both the grill and the propane cylinder. Place coals in a metal can with a lid once they have cooled. Clean your grill after each use – this will help remove excess grease.
• Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning – never take a smoldering or lit grill into a tent, caravan, or cabin. Even if you have finished cooking, the grill should remain outside as it will still give off fumes for some hours after use.

Boating safety:

• Ensure your boat has a working smoke alarm. Test alarms monthly.
• Have a U.S. Coast Guard approved fire extinguisher on board and know how to use it. Mount the extinguisher near an exit to prevent being trapped.
• Dispose of oily rags in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid.
• Fuel portable tanks on the dock, not on your vessel.
• State law requires personal flotation devices for each person aboard a vessel.
• Never swim in or near marinas, docks or boatyards.
• Have your boat inspected by a certified electrician.
• Boats with AC systems should have isolation transformers or equipment leakage circuit interrupter protection.
• Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning while boating:
  • Gas vapors will accumulate in low spots – before fueling, close all hatches, compartments and covers. After fueling, open everything up and ventilate.
  • Swim and play away from areas where engines vent their exhaust.
  • Educate all passengers about the signs and symptoms of CO poisoning (irritated eyes, headache, nausea, dizziness).
  • Never block exhaust outlets. Blocking outlets can cause CO to build up in the cabin and cockpit areas – even when hatches, windows, portholes, and doors are closed.
  • Dock, beach, or anchor at least 20-feet away from the nearest boat that is running a generator or engine. Exhaust from a nearby vessel can send CO into the cabin and cockpit of a boat.

Drowning prevention:

• The safest decision may be to not enter the water. Think about the risks when swimming, boating, inner tubing, or rafting in rivers due to dangers from currents, logs, jams, and cold temperatures.
• Wear a lifejacket. Infants and children should always wear lifejackets when in or near open water. Air filled or foam toys, are not a substitute for wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved lifejacket.
• Learn to swim, including water safety and survival skills. Learn to float and tread water for at least 10 minutes. It’s good to improve skills in a pool before hitting open water.
• Drowning often happens when inexperienced or weaker swimmers try to keep up with more experienced ones. Have conversations with your children and teens about swimming risks.
• Swim where there’s a lifeguard when possible.
• Supervise children in or near water. Always stay within touching distance of young children.
• Do not use alcohol or drugs during water activities.
• Learn first aid and CPR.

SEATTLE – Firefighters and police officers responded to the Northgate Mall at the 400 Block of NE Northgate Way for a report of an irritant in the air that was causing coughing and eye irritation.

Crews arrived on scene and used the PA System to evacuate the entire mall as a precaution. Approximately 100 people were outside displaying mild irritation, but did not require further medical treatment or transport to the hospital.

Seattle Police officers were able to quickly identify the substance as pepper spray, so the full HAZMAT response was cancelled. Firefighters worked with the building engineers to navigate the HVAC system to allow the contaminated air to clear.

Firefighters walked throughout the mall to monitor the air in different areas. Police officers stood at each entrance to keep the exits blocked, until it was safe to re-enter. People were allowed back inside the building after approximately one hour of being evacuated.

If people who were at the mall this afternoon display any further irritation, they should flush their eyes with water and contact their primary care physician.