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News and events from the Seattle Fire Department

Firefighters extinguish house fire in Ballard neighborhood

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SEATTLE – On June 13 around 3:30 p.m., the Fire Alarm Center received a 911 call reporting a basement fire from a single-story house on the 6700 block of 33rd Ave NW. The first arriving engine company reported flames coming from the basement that extended onto an attached deck as well as a detached garage. The fire continued onto the rear ride of the house and up through the attic.

Crews responded quickly in a coordinated fire attack while simultaneously searching the house for any occupants. All occupants safely evacuated the house with no injuries. The fire was under control within 30 minutes and extinguished within an hour. One firefighter sustained minor injuries during firefighting efforts.

Fire Investigators determined the fire was accidentally caused by a rechargeable battery that burst into flames shortly after being unplugged from a power strip. Estimated loss of $400,400.

Safety tip: Please follow the manufacturer’s instructions for properly charging a battery. Ensure the immediate area is free from combustible materials such as carpet, clothes and furniture. Replace the battery or charger if it has frayed wiring or has signs of damage.

Firefighter rescue trapped patients along SB I-5 at mid-Boeing Field

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May 28—Seattle Firefighters extricated two patients from a car that flew off I-5 at mid-Boeing Field.

Firefighters were dispatched to at 8:12 a.m. to reports of a car rolled down an embankment on the West Side of I-5.  The first arriving firefighters found one patient ejected and  two additional  patients trapped  inside a car which had rolled approximately  100 feet down a steep slope and was resting on a tree.

The Technical Rescue Team set up for medium bank rope rescue and simultaneous auto extrication. The roof of the car was cut away with extrication equipment  and two patients were safely removed from the vehicle.  Firefighters used specialized rope rescue techniques to pull the patients up the steep hill in a stokes rescue basket. A third patient was found on top of the hill after self-extricated from the car. Medics transported this patient to HMC in stable condition. A fourth patient also self-extricated and made his way up the hill and was taken to HMC in serious condition.

Medics evaluated all of the 17-year-old male patients. One patient suffered a serious back injury and medics transported him to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition. The three other occupants of the car were transported to HMC in stable condition.

Two other occupants of a second car were treated on scene for back and neck pain. AMR transported the two patients to HMC in stable condition.

Fire and your Pet

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For many of us, our pets are members of our family and the loss of a pet in a fire can be devastating. It is important to remember that you may have less than a minute or two after the smoke alarm sounds to get out of the house. Because many pets will hide out of fear, taking time to search the house for them can mean the difference between life or death. Leaving pet rescue to firefighters can help keep your family safe from fire’s harm.

A Firefighter’s Duty

A firefighter’s priorities are to rescue you and your family, and to minimize the damage to your home and property. However, firefighters will do their best to find and rescue any animals found in the home. The Fire Department is equipped with the pet-sized oxygen masks and tanks needed to help resuscitate your pet, if necessary. If you are unable to take your pet out with you, the best thing you can do is to let the first firefighter on the scene know that there is a family pet inside. Keep a picture of your pet with you, show the firefighter and tell him or her your pet’s name.

What Can You Do?

When you test your smoke alarm once a month, see how your pet reacts to the sound of the smoke alarm. Do they stay close to you or do they run and hide? This will tell you how they might respond in an actual emergency when the smoke alarm is activated.
If your pet is within reach and you can secure them quickly and without putting yourself at risk, try to cage or put a leash on your pet and evacuate together. If your pet is resisting or trying to hide, here are a few things you can do to make rescuing your pet easier:

Large animals: If possible, put your pet in a room and shut the door to keep more smoke from entering the room and help prevent smoke inhalation. Get out of the house and tell the first firefighter on the scene where your animal is located. Some large animals that are very scared might attack the firefighter or make it harder for them to be rescued – if you can crate these animals in a less smoky environment, do so.

Small animals: Many pets will run and hide under beds or in closets. If you know where they’ve gone, shut the door to that room and tell the first firefighter on the scene where your animal is located. If your pet carrier is accessible, and you can grab your pet easily, place him or her inside and get out of the house. If your car keys are accessible and your car is parked out of harm’s way, your car can be used to secure pets until you can inform the first firefighter on scene.

Practicing home fire drills – not only with your family but with your pet – can also ensure quickly getting to safety. Practice this from every part of your home, and know two ways out from each room.

Medical Emergencies

If 911 has been called because of a medical emergency, secure your pet in a crate or closed off room. This will help prevent your pet from getting too stressed, getting lost, or attacking emergency crew. If you can, call someone to come take care of your pet.

For More Information

Contact:
Seattle Fire Department
fireinfo@seattle.gov
www.seattle.gov/fire

Pickup Truck Drives Into W. Seattle Post Office

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May 9—Seattle Firefighters determined a post office building is safe to reoccupy after a pickup truck drove into it.

At 1:48 p.m., dispatchers at the Fire Alarm Center received a 911 call reporting a vehicle into the West Seattle Post Office located in the 2700 block of SW Trenton Street. When firefighters arrived they found the driver of the pickup truck uninjured but still inside the truck’s cab.

Concerned about the structural integrity of the building, firefighters evacuated three dozen patrons and employees of the facility. The pickup truck damaged a concrete/brick column and two large windows as it made entry into the lobby.

One female postal customer was knocked to the floor when a metal shelf fell into her. Medics evaluated and treated her for minor scrapes and bruises.

The Technical Rescue Team used shoring equipment and high powered air bags to lift the concrete column off of the pickup truck. The truck was towed from the property.

The Seattle Police Department is investigating the cause of the accident.