During times of celebration, there are common fire safety issues that all communities experience. Keep these safety considerations in mind this Chinese New Year and Vietnamese New Year (February 5).

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 – use a timer, never leave when cooking, especially when cooking with oil.
• If a pot is on fire, cover it with a lid or flat metal pan.

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.

SEATTLE – The Fire Alarm Center received a 911 call at 10:48 a.m. on January 19 reporting a fire in an office on the 4500 Blk of University Way NE. Engine 17 responded from the University Fire Station, and after arriving firefighters reported black smoke in the second-floor hallway. All occupants had safely evacuated prior to SFD’s arrival. Firefighters found the fire on the west side of the building and because of the amount of fire present, a second alarm was requested. Firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to other offices in the building. The fire was completely extinguished within an hour. At the peak of the fire there were eight engine and five ladder companies on scene. There were no reported injuries to any occupants or firefighters.

Fire Investigators ruled the cause as accidental due to a toaster and estimated the damage at $500,000 to the structure and $250,000 to contents.

Photos courtesy of John Odegard

The Seattle area has seen a few windstorms already this winter that have knocked out power to thousands of homes. One danger we have during power outages is the increased possibility of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Carbon monoxide is produced any time fossil fuels are burned. During a power outage, the use of gas generators, outdoor grills, in carports or too close to the home can trap CO in the home and cause CO poisoning. Other possible sources of CO include small gasoline engines, stoves, lanterns, burning charcoal and wood, and gas ranges and heating systems.

Carbon monoxide is a gas that can cause severe illness or death. What makes it so difficult to detect is that it is odorless and colorless. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 430 people die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in the United States every year. And each year, around 50,000 people go to the emergency department from CO poisoning.

Here are ways to keep your family safe from carbon monoxide poisoning.

1. Do not use items that produce carbon monoxide inside your home or garage or outside an open window.
2. Never use gas ovens to heat your home, even for a short time.
3. If you use a fireplace or wood stove, make sure that chimneys and flues are in good condition and are not blocked.
4. Never idle a car in a garage, even when the garage door is open.
5. Make sure carbon monoxide alarms are installed on every level of your home and outside every sleeping area. Test your CO alarms along with your smoke alarms monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.

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

Learn more about CO poisoning and prevention in several languages from Public Health Seattle & King County and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Seattle Fire Department Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Handout

SEATTLE – For the past several months, the Seattle Fire Department has worked closely with regional partners and developed plans internally to prepare for the closure of the viaduct and associated traffic congestion. The department is focusing all of its resources on responding to emergencies, and has taken steps to minimize impacts to emergency services:

• The department activated and staffed its Resource Management Center (RMC) on Jan. 12 to have the ability to closely monitor response times, and make recommendations based on analysis. Depending on circumstances, recommendations could include up-staffing units, placing additional units on the streets, or implementing bicycle medics. The RMC is located at Fire Station 10, and will stay activated through the duration of the 3-week closure.
• Specific emergency response routes have been identified and will be used by firefighters when they are responding to the scene. The department has worked with the Seattle Department of Transportation to eliminate some parking spaces on these response routes, which will allow emergency vehicles to respond more quickly on these roads.
• All community events are temporarily suspended.
• Multiple emergency helispots have been identified to transport critical patients to Harborview. This would only occur under very rare circumstances. The helispots are located at large parks, such as Seward Park and Magnuson Park.

What can the public do to help?

• Continue to call 911 only for emergencies.
• Be attentive to emergency vehicles, and move right for lights and sirens. More information on the laws and regulations of yielding to travelling emergency vehicles can be found here: http://fireline.seattle.gov/2019/01/07/help-us-help-you-move-right-for-lights-and-sirens/

SEATTLE – Firefighters responded to the 4400 Block of Lake Washington Blvd. S. just after 9:20 p.m. on Jan. 13 for a report of multiple boats on fire at Lakewood Moorage. When Engine 28 from the Rainier Valley Fire Station arrived on scene, they saw flames coming from the marina, with three vessels fully engulfed in flames.

Firefighters stretched nearly 2,000 feet of hose to reach the boats, and initially fought the fire primarily from land units. Once the Fireboat arrived on scene, water was applied on the fire from multiple angles. Due to quick and efficient firefighting efforts, the fire was knocked down in just over 20 minutes. Divers from Rescue One suited up, in case any rescues were needed. Firefighters untied and moved nearby boats, to prevent them from catching fire.

A boat owner and his dog were able to escape the fire, with assistance from Seattle Police Harbor Patrol and Seattle Fire. The approximately 59-year-old male patient was evaluated by Seattle Fire Department medics, and transported via AMR to the hospital with minor injuries. A Seattle Police Officer helped keep the displaced dog warm, while they waited for the owner to return.

Fire investigators responded to the scene and are actively investigating the cause. Further information will be released as it becomes available. Three vessels were a total loss.

UPDATE: Fire investigators have ruled the cause of the fire as undetermined. Total estimated loss is $200,000.

SEATTLE – The Fire Alarm Center received a 911 call at 1:20 a.m. on January 9 reporting a fire in a residential home at the 2500 Block of Northeast 92nd Street. Engine 40 responded from the Wedgewood Fire Station and saw flames coming from the front and sides of the single-story structure. All occupants had safely evacuated prior to SFD’s arrival on scene.

Firefighters fought the fire from outside of the structure, and then transitioned inside to push fire out. The fire was under control by 1:41 a.m. The American Red Cross was called for five displaced adults. There were no injuries to members of the public or firefighters.

Fire investigators ruled this fire as accidental, and set the total estimated loss at $350,000. The fire was caused by an overheated cell phone battery charging unit that was plugged into a full strip multi-outlet extension cord, which was plugged into a second full strip extension cord, which was plugged into the wall outlet.

SAFETY TIPS: Here are a few tips to prevent fires caused by overloading outlets and cords:

• Avoid using extension cords and plug adapters.  Extension cords are designed to provide a temporary power source.
• Make sure extension cords are not tacked to walls, run under rugs, or through doorways.
• Utilize power strips with internal circuit breakers instead of extension cords to prevent overheated electrical extension cords.
• Consider having a licensed electrician add an outlet if needed.
• Never use an extension cord with a portable heater.
• If an appliance produces heat (like toasters, rice cookers, coffee makers, kettles, portable heaters, irons, etc.) unplug it when not in use.
• If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.

SEATTLE: With the viaduct closure quickly approaching, the Seattle Fire Department wants to remind drivers to move right for lights and sirens. Seattle Fire, Police and Department of Transportation personnel respond to traffic incidents in the city 24/7. Many times, private vehicles do not yield the right of way when approached by emergency vehicles with lights and sirens.

“With the added traffic from the viaduct closure, we want to put an extra emphasis on encouraging drivers to move right for lights and sirens,” said Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, “when drivers are attentive to emergency vehicles, it helps keep members of the public and our responders safe.”

When you see emergency vehicles traveling with lights and sirens:

The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 46.61.210 requires that “…the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right of way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.”

This law also requires pedestrians to yield to emergency vehicles when they are responding to an incident.

Here are a few recommended tips for keeping you and our responders safe:

• If your vehicle is in motion, move to the right as soon as it is safe to do so and come to a full stop.
• If you are unable to move to the right, slow and come to a full stop.
• If you are stopped, stay stopped unless directed otherwise.
• Do not move to the left unless directed to do so.
• Remember that the law applies to emergency vehicles approaching from any direction, not just from behind.
• Do not attempt to follow an emergency vehicle too closely. You are required to stay 500 feet back.
• If you are standing at the curb or on a sidewalk, do not cross the street until the emergency vehicle has passed.

Emergency responders are taught to pass on the left side. This may mean that they are forced to move into on-coming traffic lanes, but lights and sirens make them highly visible to everyone, reducing the risk.

Approaching parked emergency vehicles with lights and sirens:

Once emergency vehicles arrive at an incident, such as a vehicle collision, they will park and continue to utilize their lights. RCW 46.61.212 requires drivers to approach an emergency scene with caution and, if reasonable, yield the right of way by changing lanes to the left.

References: Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority

SEATTLE – On December 31 around 5:45 a.m. the Seattle Fire Alarm Center received a 911 call reporting a house fire on the 9200 Blk of Spear Pl S.  Upon arrival, Engine 33 reported heavy fire from the east side of the house.  Crews initially knocked down the fire from the outside before transitioning to an interior attack.  While conducting a search of the residence, firefighters found two people and their injuries were incompatible with life.  Also during firefighting operations, a firefighter partially fell through a hole on the first floor but was pulled out and uninjured.

The fire was under control by 6:26 a.m. and completely extinguished by 6:43 a.m.  At the height of the fire, there were 6 engine companies and 4 truck companies.  One firefighter sustained a minor injury.

UPDATE 1/23/19: Fire investigators have ruled this fire as accidental. Investigators determined the fire was most likely caused by a marijuana grow light that was located too close to combustibles, and ignited nearby material. The fire started near the east wall of the basement stairwell. The fire extended from the basement throughout the house. Total estimated loss is $50,000 to contents and $300,000 to the structure.

SEATTLE – Seattle firefighters responded to the 2100 Blk of 41 Ave SW around 2:45 a.m. this morning for a house fire.  The first arriving unit reported a well involved house fire with fire impinging on the house to the north.  Fire crews quickly applied water onto the fire from the exterior before transitioning to an interior attack as well applying water on the exposure house to keep the fire from spreading into it.  Crews also had to deal with a downed power line on the north side of the home.  There was one occupant at home and was awoken by a smoke detector allowing him to exit without any injuries.

The fire was under control within 40 minutes and completely extinguished within 60.  There were no injuries to firefighters.  At the height of the fire were 6 engine companies and 3 ladder companies.  The fire is under investigation and the estimated damage to the residence is $250,000 and $100,000 in contents and damage to the exposure home at $50,000.

Update as of 4:00 p.m. on January 2, 2019

Fire Investigators ruled the fire accidental, and determined it was caused by a Christmas tree in the living room that had caught fire from either an energized light string or lit candle ornament.  Please remember to water your Christmas tree daily and to keep it at least 3 feet away from heating sources (fireplaces, candles, wood stoves, and heat vents).

Photos courtesy of John Odegard