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News and events from the Seattle Fire Department

Eastlake Apartment Fire Causes $300,000 in Damage

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Photo Courtesy of Fire Buff John Odegard

Photo Courtesy of Fire Buff John Odegard

Photo Courtesy of Fire Buff John Odegard

Photo Courtesy of Fire Buff John Odegard

March 29—A Seattle Fire Investigator determined an Eastlake apartment fire was caused when combustible materials came into contact with an electric baseboard heater.

At 11:31 p.m., the initial 911 call came into a dispatcher at the Fire Alarm Center reporting a fire in an apartment complex located in the 2200 block of Yale Avenue East. The initial units arriving found heavy smoke and flames coming from the back of the three-story apartment complex.

It took about 25 minutes for firefighters to completely extinguish the flames. The fire extended from an open living room area through a window causing damage to the overhang of the building’s roof. The fire also caused significant smoke and heat damage to the remaining rooms on the same floor.
There were no injuries but two cats were found deceased inside the building.
The fire investigator determined that combustible curtains and a couch ignited after coming into contact with the baseboard heater.

The damage estimate is $150,000 to the structure and $150,000 to the contents.

The Red Cross was called to assist 4 adult females and 4 adult males displaced by the fire.

The Seattle Fire Department’s Public Education Unit advises residents that common sense can prevent a heater fire. All heating systems can start fires if not used and maintained properly. Heating your home during the colder months of the year can prove dangerous, if you do not follow a few simple safety precautions.

Check baseboard heaters often to remove objects that have fallen on top of or near the heater. Remember that any time objects like newspapers, furniture or blankets are close to heaters, a fire can start.

http://www.seattle.gov/fire/pubEd/brochures/homeHeatingSafety.pdf

North Seattle Resident Suffers Minor Burns During Fire

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Picture Courtesy of Fire Buff John Odegard

July 18—Seattle Firefighters quickly extinguished a couch fire inside a two-story home this morning.

At 1:03 a.m., firefighters responded to a home in the 13500 block of 3rd Avenue NE to reports of a couch on fire inside the attic of a home. The fire arriving firefighters extinguished the fire in two minutes.

The occupant was evaluated and treated by Fire Paramedics after sustaining minor burn injuries while he attempted to extinguish the fire.

A Seattle Fire Investigator determined it was an accidental fire caused by a cigarette lighter malfunction igniting a couch on the second floor TV room. The estimated loss was $800.