Fireline Blog Seattle Fire Department

Fire Line

News and events from the Seattle Fire Department

Eastlake Apartment Fire Caused by Unattended Food on the Stove

by

IMG_9337

 

October 28— Unattended food on the stove was the cause of an apartment fire on Eastlake Avenue East this afternoon according to a Seattle Fire Investigator.

At 11:52 a.m. the lone occupant of an apartment called dispatchers at the Fire Alarm Center to report a stovetop grease fire which extended to the kitchen cabinets. The fire was in a third floor unit of a 4-story complex located in the 3200 block of Eastlake Avenue East. When firefighters arrived they found heavy smoke on the third floor hallway and black smoke coming from the side of the apartment unit. The buildings fire alarm system was activated and many residents self-evacuated.

Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the kitchen of the fire unit. It took 10 minutes to control the fire and 30 minutes to completely extinguish the flames. The fire damage was contained to the kitchen. The apartment also had heavy smoke damage.

The lone occupant, a male in his 30’s, suffered minor smoke inhalation and 2nd degree burns. He declined treatment and transport to the hospital. Two of the occupant’s cats needed medical attention and were taken to a Lake City veterinary hospital for treatment. One cat suffered burns and smoke inhalation and the other cat was evaluated.

Due to the extensive smoke damage, the occupant of the fire unit was not allowed to reoccupy his apartment. The American Red Cross was called to assist the occupant with temporary shelter.

The fire investigator is classifying the fire as accidental. The damage estimate is $15,000 to the structure and $15,000 to the contents.

For Thanksgiving fire prevention tips click on this link:
http://fireline.seattle.gov/?p=4013

Eastlake Morning House Fire Caused by Electrical Wiring

by

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

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

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

November 27—Seattle Fire Investigators determined a fire at a single family home located in the 2200 block of Eastlake Avenue East was caused by overheated electrical wiring.

At 5:51 a.m. the first 911 call came into dispatchers form the homeowner who reported a fire and black smoke pouring from the attic of his home. The first arriving firefighters found all of the occupants safely outside and smoke coming from the one-and-a-half story house. Flames were extending toward a neighboring structure.

Ladder Company 9 cut large holes in the roof to ventilate all of the hot gases and smoke out of the attic. Firefighters initiated an aggressive attack and were able to contain the flames to the original home’s attic. It took 10 minutes to completely extinguish the flames.

Fire Investigators determined the electrical wiring in the attic overheated and ignited adjacent wood ceiling joists. The damage estimate is $40,000 to the structure and $20,000 to the contents.

There were no reported injuries.

Eastlake Apartment Fire Causes $300,000 in Damage

by

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

Eastlake Abandoned House Fire Cause Ruled as Accidental

by

December 31-A Sunday morning fire at an abandoned Eastlake house caused an estimated $45,000 in damage according to a Seattle Fire Investigator.

At 10:20 a.m. on Sunday, December 30, a 911 caller reported flames showing from a house located in the 2800 block of Fairview Avenue East. Engine Company 22 arrived first to find significant flames coming from a 2-story vacant home. Due to the dilapidated condition of the home, firefighters took a defensive strategy, fighting the fire from the outside. It took approximately 15 minutes to completely extinguish the flames.

Firefighters searched the abandoned building but did not find anyone inside.

A Seattle Fire Investigator determined it was an accidental exterior fire caused either by improperly disposed of smoking materials or cooking ashes in a cardboard box full of debris. The investigator found evidence of transient activity in and around the structure. The fire started from the exterior of the home and moved into the interior.

The home was set for demolition.

No one was injured.