Heaters are the second leading cause of fires in residential buildings. As would be expected, most heating-related fires occur during the colder months when heaters get turned on and the use of portable heaters and fireplaces increase. 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.

Safety Precautions for Residents

• Give your heaters space. Do not put anything close to any type of heater.
• Never use an extension cord with a portable heater. Plug the heater directly into a wall outlet.
• 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.
• Never permit any item to drape across heaters.
• Clean or replace furnace filters regularly.
• Inspect all heating equipment yearly and always hire an experienced electrician to do any necessary repair work on your baseboard heaters.

Read more Heating Fire Safety information

SEATTLE – On Oct. 14 just before 2 p.m., firefighters responded to the U-district at NE 45th St. and Brooklyn Ave. NE for a natural gas leak. Private contractors working on a telecommunications project were digging with an excavator, when a 2-inch gas line was punctured.

Firefighters immediately notified Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and begun evacuating people in the impacted area: NE 43rd St. to NE 47th St. and 12th Ave. NE to University Way NE. Wind played a factor in determining the evacuation zone, along with levels of natural gas found from monitoring buildings in the immediate area. The evacuation zone included two high-rise buildings, several businesses and other occupancies. An AlertSeattle message was sent to a half-mile radius from the incident location to notify community members of the situation.

When PSE arrived on scene, they put a plan in place to secure the leak. They began digging holes at three locations in close proximity to the leak, to access the gas lines and place a clamp on them. Seattle Police Department officers controlled traffic in the area and kept people out of harm’s way. King County Metro turned off power to the overhead lines that help operate bus lines to ensure a spark would not occur, resulting in a possible fire igniting.

Just after 5 p.m., PSE had the leak secured. People were allowed back in the buildings once firefighters and PSE deemed them safe, and the area became open to foot traffic. The incident was turned over to the Seattle Police Department and Seattle Department of Transportation, who stayed on scene to mitigate impacts to traffic and the roads.

SEATTLE – Firefighters responded to the 10300 Block of Midvale Ave. N. just after 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 11 for a natural gas leak. When crews arrived on scene, they discovered a 2-inch gas line had been punctured by contractors who were digging in the area.

Firefighters immediately notified Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and begun evacuating residents in the impacted area. A total of three blocks were evacuated, which included a small apartment building, a few town homes and several residential homes. Approximately 20 people were evacuated and taken to a safe location away from the leak. An AlertSeattle message was sent to the neighborhood to notify residents of the situation.

When PSE arrived on scene, they put a plan in place to secure the leak. While PSE workers were in the ditch putting a clamp on the gas line, a fire ignited from an unknown ignition source. Three PSE workers sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene by Seattle Fire paramedics and transported to Harborview Medical Center.

When natural gas catches fire, the safest way to mitigate the hazard is to let the natural gas burn off. Firefighters laid hose lines in each direction, and sprayed water on nearby vehicles and structures to protect them from catching fire.

As the fire was burning, PSE worked to shut off natural gas to that area, by digging a hole to clamp the line south from the location, and turning a valve off north of the location. Once the leak was secured, the fire went out, and the air was monitored to ensure it was safe for residents to reoccupy their homes.

SEATTLE – An employee from Super Cuts called 911 just before 12 p.m. on Oct. 7 reporting light smoke from a strip mall at the 2300 Block of NW Market St. When Engine 9 arrived on scene, they saw a haze coming from the ceiling of the building and quickly upgraded the response to a full alarm. They were able to determine the fire was in the ceiling and attic space above four of the businesses, and the only way to gain access was from the roof.

A second and and then third alarm was called bringing in over 150 members of the City’s fire personnel, which is approximately 65% of the department’s on-duty resources. Firefighters initially fought the fire from the roof, cutting holes in the ceiling to release toxic gases and smoke, and put water on the fire. When the building began showing signs of potential for collapse, the firefighters transitioned to a defensive attack. Ladder trucks put their ladder pipes in place and firefighters grabbed hose lines to begin attacking the fire from all sides of the structure. Smoke billowed out of the building as the roof began to collapse.

Residents in the immediate area were instructed to close their windows and doors to avoid exposure to smoke. At one point, the apartment building behind the strip mall was evacuated due to the heavy smoke in the air. The Office of Emergency Management sent out an AlertSeattle message on behalf of SFD to a 1-mile radius of the incident alerting the public of protective safety measures.

Building occupants were able to safely evacuate and there were no reported injuries to members of the public. One firefighter was transported to Harborview via SFD medics as a precautionary measure with minor injuries.

Four businesses sustained heavy damage and are a total loss: Kitchen N’ Things, La Isla, Super Cuts and Coleman Jewelers. The Pho Vietnamese restaurant that borders Coleman Jewelers was also damaged from smoke exposure and water. The firefighters quick response and efficient tactics kept the fire from spreading to additional businesses in the strip mall. The Office of Economic Development was notified and is reaching out to businesses impacted and the building owner.

Fire investigators have begun their investigation and will return to the site on Oct. 8 to further assess the damage. Crews will remain on scene throughout the night to continue putting out hot spots and ensure the fire does not reignite.

FINAL UPDATE: Oct. 8 at 12 p.m.
SFD fire investigators completed their investigation at the site on Oct. 8 just before noon. Due to the extent of fire damage and instability of the structure, the official ruling of the cause will remain undetermined. However, they determined the fire most likely started from overheated electrical in the void space between the ceiling and roof. The fire started towards the back of the building at the northeast corner.

There is a large fire wall between the jewelry company and the Pho restaurant, which prevented the fire from further progressing through the strip mall. Investigators did not find evidence of any fire stops in the attic space of the structure that burned, which allowed the fire to quickly spread.

Total estimated loss is $1.5 million to contents and $1.5 million to property. Note: this number is just an estimate, and insurance companies will further determine the value of property and contents lost.

Firefighters will remain on fire watch until the building is no longer at risk for reigniting.

SAFETY TIP: ensure smoke alarms are working in facilities and have a fire escape plan in place. Visit our website for more resources.

No doubt about it, fall is in full swing. One of the season’s hallmarks – fog – made a strong resurgence this week, bringing damp, cooler temperatures.

With nights dipping into the 40s, it’s no wonder so many of us are grabbing more blankets, reaching for the thermostat and dusting off our space heaters.

A leading cause of home fires

Before you get too cozy, consider this: heaters are one of the leading causes of home fires. Now is a great time to survey each room with a heat source to look for potential fire hazards.

When you do, remember this rule of thumb: Baseboard heaters need one-foot of clearance and portable space heaters need three-feet of clearance. Give them space!

Safety tips for home heaters

• Never allow any item to drape across or be placed on top of a heater.
• Move away any furniture, bedding and other materials placed too close to baseboard and portable heaters.
• Make sure any portable heater is plugged directly into a wall outlet. Never use an extension cord with a portable heater.
• Turn off a portable heater before leaving the room or going to sleep.
• When purchasing a heater, make sure it has been tested by an independent testing laboratory and features an automatic turn off if it tips over.

By keeping a watchful eye and giving heaters the space they require, it helps reduce the risk of a home fire. Now you can sit back and warmly (and safely) enjoy autumn’s beauty.