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Seattle Fire Investigators Determine a Candle is the Cause of Vacant House Fire

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January 8, 2012—Seattle firefighters extinguished a fire at a vacant home in 2600 25th Avenue South in South Seattle. ARoudn 3:23 p.m., Engine Company 28 arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the roof and 1st and 2nd floors of the home.

Ladder Companies 3 and 12 forced entry into the locked home. Firefighters did not find anyone inside the smoke-filled house.

It took about 15 minutes for fire crews to knock down the flames. Inside, firefighters had to navigate around drug paraphernalia that was scattered across the floor.

Fire Investigators determined an unattended candle was the cause of the fire. The damage was limited to one wall and the floor. Since the building is boarded up and vacant, there are no estimated losses.

Investigators say Unattended Candles to Blame for Fire

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October 12– Seattle Fire Investigators determined unattended candles are responsible for an early morning fire near the University of Washington campus.

Around 1:00 a.m. Engine 17 arrived to find flames coming from the second floor of a two-story duplex with a basement. Fire arriving engines discovered all of the residents had self evacuated from the building at the 22 hundred block of NE 46th Street.

Firefighters mounted an aggressive interior attack on a second floor unit and were able to knock down the flames in less than 10 minutes.

Fire investigators say the fire cause was accidental but the damage estimate was 50 thousand dollars to the structure and 20 thousand dollars to the contents.
Fortunately there were no injuries.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), every year in the U.S, candle fires caused an average of 166 deaths, 1289 injuries and 450 million dollars in property damage. The NFPA estimates more than one third of home candle fires occur in the bedroom and 12% of the homes candle fires occurred when residents fell asleep.

The Seattle Fire Department’s Public Education Unit encourages residents to always put candles in candlesticks before you light them. Also, don’t use lit candles near flammable decorations and curtains. Never leave candles unattended or within the reach of young children.