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News and events from the Seattle Fire Department

Ballard Chimney Fire causes $65,000 in Damage says Seattle Fire Investigator

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Photo Courtesty: John Odegard

November 3—An early morning fire inside a Ballard home was caused by heat from a smoldering fire according to a Seattle Fire Investigator. At 2:10 a.m, a 911 caller reported flames coming from a chimney. The fire grew and began burning the inside of a two-story home located at the 28 hundred block of NW 61st Street in Ballard.

Engine Company 18 arrived to find the occupants safely outside of the home and the fire burning into the attic. Within 5 minutes, Seattle Firefighters knocked down the fire and began placing tarps over the resident’s valuables to save the items from water damage.

A Seattle Fire Investigator is calling the fire an accidental fire caused by heat from a smoldering fire in the fireplace which ignited adjacent walls.

The damage estimate is set at $65,000 to the structure and the contents. The occupants decided to stay at a friend’s home for the morning.

As we head into the cooler Fall days and Winter months, the Seattle Fire Department’s Public Education Unit encourages residents to have chimney and heating systems inspected, cleaned and repaired. Public Educators stress to never leave a fire unattended.

In 2009, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says 17,910 Americans were taken to emergency rooms for injuries related to fireplaces, chimneys and chimney connectors.

Nationally in 2008, $246 million dollars in property damage was reported due to fireplace, chimney and chimney connector fires according to the (NFPA).

Investigators say Unattended Candles to Blame for Fire

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October 12– Seattle Fire Investigators determined unattended candles are responsible for an early morning fire near the University of Washington campus.

Around 1:00 a.m. Engine 17 arrived to find flames coming from the second floor of a two-story duplex with a basement. Fire arriving engines discovered all of the residents had self evacuated from the building at the 22 hundred block of NE 46th Street.

Firefighters mounted an aggressive interior attack on a second floor unit and were able to knock down the flames in less than 10 minutes.

Fire investigators say the fire cause was accidental but the damage estimate was 50 thousand dollars to the structure and 20 thousand dollars to the contents.
Fortunately there were no injuries.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), every year in the U.S, candle fires caused an average of 166 deaths, 1289 injuries and 450 million dollars in property damage. The NFPA estimates more than one third of home candle fires occur in the bedroom and 12% of the homes candle fires occurred when residents fell asleep.

The Seattle Fire Department’s Public Education Unit encourages residents to always put candles in candlesticks before you light them. Also, don’t use lit candles near flammable decorations and curtains. Never leave candles unattended or within the reach of young children.

Seattle Firefighters & Paramedics to Reward Kids for Wearing Helmets

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This summer, several Seattle Fire Stations and the Seattle Fire Department Bike Medics will be issuing Bicycle Safety Citations to children who are properly wearing their helmet while bicycling, skateboarding or inline skating. Each citation entitles the child to a free child-size sandwich at participating Subway locations. The goal of the program is to reduce the incidence of childhood head injuries.

 

According to the National SAFE Kids Coalition, head injury is the leading cause of death in bicycle crashes and is the most important determinant of bicycle-related death and permanent disability. Head injuries account for more than 60 percent of bicycle-related deaths, more than two-thirds of bicycle-related hospital admissions and about one-third of hospital emergency room visits for bicycling injuries. The single most effective safety device available to reduce head injury and death from bicycle crashes is a helmet.

 

A Seattle Firefighter talks to kids about helmet safety.

A Seattle Firefighter talks to kids about helmet safety.