Fireline Blog Seattle Fire Department

Fire Line

News and events from the Seattle Fire Department

Pinehurst House Fire Caused by Unattended Food on the Stove

by

Photo Courtesy of Fire Buff John Odegard

Photo Courtesy of Fire Buff John Odegard

 

 

January 23—Fire Investigators determined a house fire in the Pinehurst neighborhood was accidental, caused by unattended food on the stove.

At 5:41 p.m. a smoke alarm alerted the lone resident of the home to a fire in his kitchen. The automatic fire alarm alerted dispatchers at the Fire Alarm Center to the fire at a 2-story home with basement in the 800 block of NE 123rd Street. When firefighters arrived, flames were shooting out of the first floor kitchen, up along the side of the house, through the roof and out the windows of the first floor of the home.  The flames also spread to trees and bushes on both sides of the house. The fire threatened a neighbor’s home.

Through their aggressive actions, firefighters were able to contain the fire to the house of origin and prevent it from spreading to the neighboring houses.  A challenge to firefighters was the high load of combustible materials stored both inside the home and around the surrounding property. It took approximately 50 minutes to completely extinguish the fire.  However, several hot spots flared up through the evening. An engine company stayed outside the home throughout the night for a Fire Watch to ensure the flare-ups were quickly extinguished.

When firefighters arrived they found the lone occupant outside the home with burns to his arms suffered while he tried to extinguish the flames. Medics treated the man in his 60’s for minor 2nd and 3rd degree burns.  He declined transport to the hospital but opted to have a relative drive him to Harborview Medical Center

 The investigators determined the home was a complete loss. The damage estimate is $250,000 to the structure and $100,000 to the contents.

 

Motorcycle to Blame for N. Seattle Condo Complex Fire

by

March 22- A Seattle Fire Investigator determined the cause of a North Seattle condominium fire was accidental. A motorcycle’s electrical system caught fire and the flames spread to a nearby car and a dumpster and then extended to the 4-story building.

The first 911 call came into the Fire Alarm Center at 10:55 a.m. The caller reported a motorcycle on fire and the flames spreading. Engine Company 39 arrived and found the flames had spread to a dumpster, to the roof of the garage and to the side of the building. The flames burned up the side of the building and extended to the roof. Two condo units suffered extensive fire damage.

While firefighters attacked the fire from the outside from the inside and from the roof, other crews went door-to-door and evacuated all of the residents. Firefighters from Ladder Company 9 rescued a woman and her baby who were trapped inside their fourth-floor apartment by the heavy smoke.

Crews also evacuated several animals including cats and dogs. After extinguishing the heavy flames inside a fourth floor apartment, firefighters from Engine Company 16 found a cat dish and searched for the owner’s pet. Under a bed, the crew found a cat that was barely breathing. Firefighters used a pet oxygen mask to revive the cat and restore the pet’s breathing. A relative of the owner did pick up the cat and will reunite the cat with the owner.

It took about an hour to fully extinguish the flames. Two condo units suffered extensive damage and about four others had smoke and heat damage. The Red Cross was called to assist with temporary housing for the displaced residents. Residents of the other units were allowed to reoccupy their condos.

The damage to the condo complex is estimated at $250,000.

There were no reported injuries.