Fireline Blog Seattle Fire Department

Fire Line

News and events from the Seattle Fire Department

Hotel Fire Forces Evacuation of South Lake Union Hotel

by

July 21–Seattle Firefighter contained a fire in a South Lake Union hotel room this afternoon.

At noon, Seattle Firefighters were called to the 900 block of Westlake Avenue North for a report of smoke coming from the 7th floor of the hotel. When crews arrived, the hotel was evacuating the 275 to 300 guests from all 7 floors.

Firefighters made entry into a 7th floor room and quickly extinguished a 5 foot by 5 foot fire in the hotel room. Crews used two 5 gallon pump gans to extinguish the flames. No one was inside the room when firefighters made entry.

The fire burned the carpet, wall and drapes of the room. The cause was determined to be accidental and most likely an overheated cell phone charger. Estimated damage was $2000.

No one was injured.

Firefighters used large fans to clear the smoke from the hallway and rooms on the 7th floor before allowing guest to return to their rooms.

North Seattle motel fire caused by cigarette

by

A fire that burned through a North Seattle motel was caused by someone smoking in bed, according to Seattle Fire Investigators.

On June 22, Seattle Engine 24 and Engine 31 responded to a fire at a motel located at 12035 Aurora Avenue North. The firefighters knocked the fire down in less than 5 minutes. Investigators quickly discovered the fires’ cause was accidental, started by the motel room’s occupant smoking in bed.

In an average year, structure fires are reported at one of every 12 hotels or motels according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Smoking material started 6% of those fires but caused 72% of the deaths according to NFPA.

There are some easy things travelers can do to keep themselves safe during their stays away from home according to NFPA. First, choose a hotel/motel that has both smoke alarms and a fire sprinkler system. Second, when you enter the room, review the escape plan posted. Also, take time to find the exits and count the number of doors between your room and the exit. Finally, if an alarm sounds, leave right away, use the stairs and avoid using the elevators.