UPDATE: Gas-leak response in 4800 block Beach Drive SW

(Added – texted photo; thank you!)

2:24 PM: If you have to travel on Beach Drive SW south of Jacobsen, consider waiting a bit. There’s a Seattle Fire response blocking the road for a natural-gas leak in the 4800 block (here’s a map of the vicinity where it was reported). According to SFD communication monitored via scanner, a line was not punctured; it’s a “small leak” and they’re working to shut off the gas while awaiting Puget Sound Energy.

2:57 PM: Per the incident log, all SFD units have closed out of the call.

27 Replies to "UPDATE: Gas-leak response in 4800 block Beach Drive SW"

  • T July 11, 2018 (2:29 pm)

    I am down here and this occurred while someone was digging post holes for a fence. I did not see any Utilities marked although it is possible that they we’re. Either way this should be a reminder to all of us to CALL BEFORE YOU DIG!

  • AS July 11, 2018 (3:46 pm)

    I saw that guy setting up posts since yesterday. I thought to myself that he MUST be smart enough to call ahead & get the area painted, seeing that there are obviously utilities running to & from 4 houses RIGHT where he’s digging along the street and along the alley.

  • vp July 11, 2018 (5:33 pm)

     He did not call — thinking the gas line went down the middle of the driveway.   The entire line to what is known as the Painted Lady now has to be replaced.  Always call.  

  • just wondering July 11, 2018 (5:50 pm)

    There is no large open space that fronts on Beach Drive SW except  in the front yard of the big house that is listed as historical.Is that where the fence is being built?

    • D July 11, 2018 (6:16 pm)

      Yes it’s the big open lot in front of the satterlee house. 

      • ws native July 12, 2018 (12:07 am)

        a fence is being put up to block that huge beautiful old lawn in front of that great historic house? such a shame. plus a surprise that the historic society/board would have approved the change-request like that by the owner. hopefully it’s a nice little white picket style at least.

        • D July 12, 2018 (3:39 pm)

          It’s just a small white picket fence.  Won’t block anyone’s view.  

        • T West Seattle July 12, 2018 (8:43 pm)

          Why do you think it’s up to you what peoples fences look like?  Personally, I hope they put a big large fence up to keep annoying people away. OZ  no need to justify what you want or need. It’s your house. I would put up the biggest fans possible! 

  • OZ July 11, 2018 (6:38 pm)

    Hi everyone,I’m the owner of the house.  The contractor we hired to build the fence thought the glass line was down the driveway.  He’s really embarrassed about everything and knows he made a mistake.  He’s a super nice guy, owns his own business and is about to receive a big fee. I feel bad for him. West Seattle isn’t amazing community and filled with compassionate people.  Can we please give him a break.Thank you!

    • Tsurly July 11, 2018 (7:13 pm)

      A compentent contractor would not make the mistake of assuming where a gas line is. It’s nothing other than neglegence and I guarantee if  he can’t make a simple dig request he is cutting corners on safety elsewhere. I’d fire him before something else happens.

    • T July 11, 2018 (10:06 pm)

      Oz and all other readers, I made the initial response and I truly wanted it to be read as a reminder to call before digging. I am sorry it was used to berate this gentleman. I watched him deal with this and he reacted correctly, quickly, and with extreme concern for the safety of others. Yes he made the huge initial mistake of assuming and not calling but handled the situation very well and will be paying dearly for it.  A lesser person would not have handled this so well and it could have been a disaster. I have personally been on a job where we called, had all utilities marked, used extreme caution, and we still hit a gas line. It is terrifying . I am glad this ended well and must say this contractor seemed more horrified by his mistake than embarrassed. I believe he has learned a lesson and deserves some compassion.

    • just wondering July 12, 2018 (9:14 am)

      So Oz, why a fence?

      • OZ July 12, 2018 (3:38 pm)

        Hi Just Wondering,We’re just putting up a short 3 foot 6 picket fence to keep dogs in and add a little security when our young daughter is playing in yard.  It won’t block any part of view.  We are the ones that restored the house originally and are very protective of keeping the original look and feel.  We also won’t ever develop anything in the front yard (although coffee shop would be nice)if whichant to preserve given there’s not much space like that left in Seattle.  That being said we’ve had some very interesting experiences with people doing all kinds of stuff on the yard so even a short picket fence will make it seem a little more secure with our dogs and kid out there.  One person came with their spouse last year all the way up to the house and took Christmas photos in full santa gear.  No offense to that person if they are reading :).

        • just wondering July 12, 2018 (5:54 pm)

          My husband and I rented a cottage on Beach Drive in the 90’s.  I drove past the Satterlee house from work everyday and always enjoyed seeing it and thinking how it was long ago.  A white picket fence will look good and keep your daughter safe!And the house will still be seen from Beach Drive!

          • Caitlin July 12, 2018 (8:02 pm)

            Build a 40 ft concrete fence for all i care, as long as you keep passing out the king size candy at Halloween. ;)

  • Rick July 11, 2018 (9:13 pm)

    Yeah,people don’t make mistakes.

  • Graciano July 12, 2018 (4:54 am)

    Haven’t you all noticed…a lot of people here like to lay blame and belittle when they’re hiding behind a keyboard.We all make mistakes and learn from them and also admit to them. Sounds like the contractor has to both. Good person!

  • waikikigirl July 12, 2018 (11:04 am)

    It’s their property if they want a fence, they want a fence no ones business but theirs.Maybe goats or cows and want to keep them contained? LOL!!! 

  • WSB July 12, 2018 (12:56 pm)

    Having spent many hours covering the previous property owner’s fight a decade ago over an issue that in part turned on protected views of the city-landmark house, we were curious about the fence, so we drove by a little while ago for a look while en route to someplace else. The front fence posts appear fairly short. – TR

    • OZ July 12, 2018 (3:41 pm)

      We read every article you wrote all the way back to the beginning.  Great history.  We’re only putting up a short white picket fence.  Won’t block anyone’s view including children.  We’re really protective of maintaining the house and lot original look and feel.

    • D Allan July 12, 2018 (8:53 pm)

      Not your choice on what their fence looks like. Why do you think it’s OK to drive by someone’s home?  We live in the neighborhood and we know this family. All they wanna do was protect their family and frankly I advise them to build a 6 foot fence.  People that don’t live in this neighborhood think it’s OK to walk up there driveway and yard.  I’m helping they reconsider and build a larger fence to create some privacy for their family. 

      • WSB July 12, 2018 (9:02 pm)

        (a) No, of course it’s not my choice, and I wasn’t suggesting it should be, nor was I offering an opinion.
        (b) As you certainly are aware, the house is on the major through street for its area. We drive by it most days anyway and did so today (traveling along Beach Drive, not the driveway or yard).
        (c) While I don’t have the exact language of protected features handy currently, I am aware through a decade-plus of local reporting that the “Satterlee House” is a city landmark and that, as I mentioned, the public view of it has at least in the past been a matter of public/civic interest. Before the topic took off any further, I thought it would be helpful to get a firsthand drive-by look at what was in the works, so that I could refute it firsthand if somebody in the comments riffed on a presumption that a tall fence was being built and if that was not the case (which indeed it seems not to be).
        (d) Driving by various properties for various reasons is a large part of this gig and has always been a large part of community reporting. Our mailbox/text/etc. is daily filled with questions like “What’s going in over there? What happened over here? What does that sign say on the suddenly closed business’s door? Why are police at (wherever)?” I could go on. And we do this without in most cases bothering a soul, and certainly without trespassing, etc. In the case of getting a look at the fenceposts today, we didn’t so much as slow down; I rode shotgun and eyed it as we passed. – TR

        • OZ July 13, 2018 (10:32 am)

          Hi everyone…we support the process of historicaly designating properties.  If the city didn’t have that process the place would have 6 to 8 houses on the front lawn which is fine in most cases but it’s also good to preserve some places like this if possible.  We have worked with them several times and it’s not an overly burdensome process.  They just want to make sure nothing crazy happens.  We are also working with them on the fence for the same reason even though we aren’t blocking anyone’s view.  They still wanted to get a look at the plan.  If i remember correctly from the wsb reporting and from court records the city did actually approve 4 – 6 cottage style house but the previous owner wanted to build them bigger.  So I think you can develop on the lawn it’s just the houses have to not be too big.  I could be wrong but that’s what I remember 

      • StuartB July 12, 2018 (9:59 pm)

        you are correct. is not our choice. but when a house/property is given designation as a historic site by the local preservation board, any improvements to the property (especially improvements that are visible from the street by the public) have to be approved by the preservation review board. that is the give-take for the tax incentives that owners receive by designating it an historical property. i’m not sure if such approval needs to be done before the changes, or if the review board is only aware of changes when a citizen complains after the fact. but either way, as oz is very aware, steps are best taken before making any changes to a property that could possibly modify the character of the historic look or view of it. as we have all read here on the wsb, the developer who previously owned the lawn property was unable to build houses on it because he was blocked by the review board because his new houses would have modified the historic look or view of the house behind it. such as a new fence would? from what i recall, beach drive neighbors became very involved in fighting the developer and succeeded in front of the review board. i personally love the idea of the owner having more privacy and a way to keep his dogs and kids from running out to the road. preservation review boards often have far different priorities, and whatever they say goes. good luck to oz on all of that.

  • LisaP July 12, 2018 (7:48 pm)

    What is wrong with you guys! Do you not have anything better to do?  This poor family just wants to build a fence to protect their family.  Who cares how big it is?  If you like the house why don’t you buy yourself…  it was on the market for years. 

    • Caitlin July 12, 2018 (8:44 pm)

      AMEN!

  • Marion B July 12, 2018 (8:38 pm)

    I personally love what has been done with the property! I have lived in WS for many years and have been so happy to see this family care for such a landmark home following the years it was on the market. I think a short white fence will look really nice. Plus, it’s their house! They bought it, at the end of the day they pay taxes and have been really thoughtful about any updates or restoration. Lastly, that poor guy who screwed up- for every person berating him from behind their screens- his fine will likely be over $20k! He will likely lose his small business. Love WS for being so passionate about preservation! 

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