A Seattle Fire Investigator determined improperly discarded smoking materials on a wooden pier caused a two-alarm fire on Pier 56 at the Seattle Waterfront Saturday.
At 2:06 p.m., Seattle Firefighters responded to 1201 Alaskan Way for initial reports of a fire under Pier 56. The first arriving engine companies found thick smoke and flames coming from the pier. Firefighters attacked the fire from on top of the pier and used small boats to attack the flame from below the pier.
Truck companies cut large sections of the wooden pier away to expose the fire allowing the engine companies to reach the flames with their hose lines.
Multiple businesses were evacuated for approximately 4 hours. Heavy smoke forced the evacuation of Pier 55 for several hours.
A second alarm was called to meet the high staffing needs required to fight this pier fire. In total, 99 firefighters and fire personnel responded to this emergency.
There were no reported injuries.
The fire investigator estimates damage at $30,000.