West Seattle Blog…

Followup: 2/3 of a mile of new water mains for Arbor Heights

(August 27 photo by Tony Bradley)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

New water mains, yes. Added sidewalks, no.

That’s one of the points we got clarified, following up on Wednesday morning’s Arbor Heights fire briefing before the Seattle City Council’s Public Safety and Education Committee.

You can watch the entire briefing in our Wednesday-morning story; we summarized the briefing documents’ key points in this story from the night before.

But we had a few followup questions, so, adding the answers to the additional information that emerged at the briefing – primarily regarding the plan to upgrade water mains in the area where they were too small to provide adequate “fire flow”: Click to read the rest of Followup: 2/3 of a mile of new water mains for Arbor Heights…

Video: Arbor Heights fire briefing @ City Council committee

(UPDATED EDITOR’S NOTE, 12:11 PM: The archived meeting video is now available, so that’s what you’ll see if you click “play” below. We are working on the wrapup story with new information from the hearing and from followup questions afterward.)

10:20 AM: Click “play” to get the live feed from City Hall, as the City Council’s Public Safety and Education Committee is briefed on the August 27th Arbor Heights house fire near 41st/102nd, and what’s been done, and what is still to come, to fix the water-supply problems it exposed –

We have been following this story since the fire itself, including these stories:
*August 27: The fire (accidental; gutted a house and injured a firefighter)
*August 28: Fire’s cause
*August 29: ‘After-action review’ promised
*Sept. 9: Three followups
*Sept. 15: Hydrant upgrades promised
*November 4th: Hydrant upgrades almost complete
*December 5th: City Council committee briefing planned

Last night, we reviewed the documents available online for this briefing, including something new and major: A plan to upgrade water mains. Here’s our story; we will write a new one with added information after today’s briefing, and we will also make a note here when the briefing is over.

11:02 AM: It’s over. Nothing major beyond what we summarized from last night, though some additional summarizing did emerge – when the water-main upgrades are over in a year-plus, all of Arbor Heights will be within 1000 feet of an 8-inch water main, which is the minimum standard these days, and 87 percent will be within 500 feet. The review of the August fire showed that 2,000 feet of hose had to be rolled out to get to an 8-inch water main supply. More to come!

12:12 PM: The archived video is already available – so we have substituted it above. Followup story still in the works.

Water-main improvements proposed for Arbor Heights, post-fire

As we reported previously, the City Council‘s Public Safety and Education Committee is scheduled to be briefed tomorrow on the big Arbor Heights fire from last August 27th.

(WSB video from 8/27/2011)
House fires don’t usually lead to council briefings, but in this case, multiple fire hydrants near the home were unable to adequately supply firefighters, who as a result could not get a handle on it quickly. Three documents are linked from the City Council agenda tonight, looking ahead to the briefing by Seattle Fire and Public Utilities leaders. While the first two focus on the fire response and what went wrong (as well as what went right), the third lays out a schedule for proposed water-main improvements to be built next year.

The tale of what went wrong at the fire scene is complex, going beyond the water-supply problems, though they are described in detail. The hydrants nearest the home were described as “dead” and “frozen” in the first document: “A sufficient water source had still not been located 12 minutes after the first unit arrived on scene.” And then: “32 minutes into the response, despite efforts to supply them from three different directions, E32 still didn’t have a viable water supply.” It wasn’t just the hydrants – they called for the “hose wagon,” but it turned out to be unavailable; they looked for the “hydrant main map book,” but discovered it was “no longer carried on the Chiefs’ apparatus.” Finally, after laying hose all the way to 35th SW – almost half a mile of hose, says the document – “35 minutes after the first rig arrived on scene, a positive water supply was established.” Ultimately, says the second document, “105 firefighters, officers and medics” were involved in the response.

The third document outlines the water-main-improvement plan; as we have reported in followups since August, in some cases SPU was able to put larger hydrants atop water mains that could provide better pressure with better equipment, but in some cases, the water mains themselves are too small – and have been since before the city annexed the area more than half a century ago. Per the briefing document, the process for the water-main improvements will begin with a community meeting next month. We will find out more when the council committee is briefed toward the end of its 9:30 am meeting tomorrow (if you can’t go, you can watch via the Seattle Channel, cable channel 21 or seattlechannel.org online – we’ll stream it here when this agenda item comes up).

Arbor Heights fire briefing set for City Council committee Wed.

Just never know what you’ll find in a Seattle City Council committee agenda. Reading through the ones available early today for meetings coming up this week, we discovered that the council’s Public Safety and Education Committee, chaired by Councilmember Tim Burgess, is scheduled for an “Arbor Heights Fire Briefing” when it meets at 9:30 am this Wednesday, last item on the agenda. The scheduled briefers are Seattle Fire Department Chief Gregory Dean and Seattle Public Utilities director Ray Hoffman. This goes back to the August 27th fire that destroyed a home on 41st SW (WSB coverage here); hydrant problems hampered firefighters’ ability to make a quick full attack on the flames. The hydrants and water system are SPU’s responsibility; we have followed up with them several times since the fire. Two days afterward, they promised an “after-action review”; two weeks later, we had information about hydrant testing; then there was a promise of larger hydrants where water-main sizes permitted, and we updated the status of that work last month. (And in a side note, an SFD investigator discussed the fire at length during October’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting.)

Wednesday’s council-committee meeting is at City Hall downtown and will be live on the Seattle Channel, cable 21 or online.

West Seattle schools: Arbor Heights Elementary auction success!

(Photos by Carol Harrold)
The Arbor Heights Elementary PTA Auction is history – and what a night it was, reports Lisa Olson:

Arbor Heights Elementary would like to extend a BIG THANK YOU to everyone in the West Seattle Community and beyond who made last Thursday’s “Adventure Is Out There” Dinner & Auction a smashing success, exceeding the event’s goals. A special shout-out to Gatewood Elementary for the volunteer swap that allowed the Arbor Heights Auction Committee to enjoy the evening. If you were not able to attend the auction and would like to make a contribution to AH’s Technology Fund, this year’s auction “Raise the Paddle” focus to replace/update computer hardware and software, checks can be dropped off or mailed to the Arbor Heights PTA, Attn: Auction Committee, 3701 SW 104th St., Seattle, WA 98146.

Video: Air Force C-17′s West Seattle flyover, Seahawks-bound

Just before 1, we were driving west on SW 98th in Arbor Heights when suddenly the Junior Member of the Team said, “What’s that plane doing?” Big Air Force plane, headed eastbound – slow and relatively low – directly overhead. Pulled over and rolled video till it passed. Figured it out fairly quickly, confirmed by the Seahawks website – pre-game C-17 flyover in honor of Veterans Day (weekend).

ADDED 1:32 PM: Thanks to Anne for sharing this photo:

That was taken from Brace Point, just north of where we saw the flyover. The C-17 is a Boeing-built cargo aircraft, first deployed in 1993.

Door-to-door concern: Legitimate ‘wreath-maker’?

Not a solicitor, but somebody going door-to-door – and just maybe, publishing a worried WSB’er’s tale will lead to reassurance that this was legit. Or not. Read on: Click to read the rest of Door-to-door concern: Legitimate ‘wreath-maker’?…

West Seattle schools: Arbor Heights’ big night

(Photo courtesy Meri Patton)
It takes a village … of volunteers … to feed hundreds of hungry people, and here’s part of the team from last night’s PTA-hosted spaghetti dinner/fundraiser (and open house) at Arbor Heights Elementary. The hosts say they couldn’t have done it without donations from Avalon, Angelina’s, B&E Meats and Seafood, Franz Bakery, The Old Spaghetti Factory (Southcenter), Costco, and Target (Westwood Village).

West Seattle schools: Arbor Heights gets a win at Safeco Field!

Arbor Heights Elementary put a team on the field at The Safe on Saturday, as part of the celebration for AH winning the first-ever Mariners-Nikon Earth Day Program. The school was recognized for its “green” initiatives, led by teacher Angie Nall (in the teal shirt), including composting and “upcycling” (as featured here previously). The moment in the spotlight before the Saturday night game – chronicled above – was part of the prize, as were new Nikon D3100 cameras. And even a pose with The Moose!

Thanks to everybody who sent tips about this, including the parent volunteer who provided the photo and video. (Got school news? Let us know so we can share it!)

Arbor Heights fire aftermath: Some hydrants to be upgraded

Another followup today on the water-pressure/access problems that hampered firefighters in the early going on August 27th, when flames gutted an Arbor Heights home, sending black smoke so high into the sky that it could be seen for miles around. We have reported that Seattle Public Utilities, which is accountable for hydrants and water service, plans an “after-action review” with the Seattle Fire Department. And today, we just got word that SPU plans to take two steps for starters:

First, SPU spokesperson Susan Stoltzfus tells WSB, eleven hydrants in the area will be replaced with larger hydrants – she says those hydrants are attached to some of the area’s larger water mains, and could be upgraded to provide better water pressure. (Those 11 do not include the two hydrants that firefighters first tried to use on August 27, she says, because they are connected to smaller mains and just enlarging the hydrants wouldn’t do any good.) Second, she says SPU and SFD will decide on a way to make it obvious to firefighters which are the lower-pressure hydrants and which are the higher-pressure hydrants. These are not the only steps they’re going to take – that review is still ahead – but she says this is something they can do relatively quickly (within three months) to help.

(The family who rented the home, you may recall, was out of town when the fire happened; as we reported last week, they are continuing to get back on their feet.)

West Seattle street safety: Arbor Heights guards – and police

Two updates on safety near Arbor Heights Elementary School:

First: Thanks to the parent volunteer who shared that photo of the new group of AH crossing guards, sworn in by teacher Margaret Boitano at this week’s all-school assembly. We’re told that almost half of this year’s fifth-grade class trained last spring and are serving as crossing guards now – so keep an eye out for them if you’re driving in the area before/after school. (Safety news from other schools? Let us know!)

Second: Arbor Heights is featured in the latest roundup of Seattle Police Aggressive Drivers Response Team patrols – with four speeders and a “no proof of insurance” citation listed in the SPD Blotter writeup (which includes the latest ADRT efforts from other parts of West Seattle, including the bridge and W. Marginal Way SW).

Arbor Heights crime-prevention meeting brings new info on helping Saturday’s fire victims

Arbor Heights is among the few areas of West Seattle not represented by a community council – but Arbor Heights Community Church leaders say they’re trying to step up and help with neighborhood organizing. Tuesday night’s community meeting at the church was announced 2+ weeks ago as a chance to get information about crime prevention, and that certainly was discussed, with the help of Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon. He presented information including how to set up Block Watches. But last Saturday’s house fire, less than a block from the church, was a big topic too.

As first reported here Sunday night, AHCC is coordinating donations for the family who lost everything in the fire, and we got an update on that from Pastor Ken Ross, who says he has met with the fire victims and describes them as still in a state of shock:

*Red Cross has provided them with lodging for 2 weeks; they are still looking for a rental, preferably in the Arbor Heights area, since they have two kids about to go back to school (12-year-old girl and 15-year-old boy, according to family members’ comments).

*Fundraising has totaled $3,000 so far (donation info is here)

*Want to offer clothing or other types of non-monetary donations? The church doesn’t have storage but asks that you e-mail ahfiredonations@yahoo.com to coordinate, or, as previously requested, call 206-935-5714 between 10 am-2 pm today or Thursday (after that the office won’t be staffed again till the following Tuesday)

The pastor also says he plans to meet with a Seattle Fire Department representative regarding the complications of Saturday evening’s firefighting operation – including response time and water pressure. (Here’s our Monday night report on the city’s review plan.)

Arbor Heights fire: How to help family who ‘lost everything’

Arbor Heights Community Church, less than a block away from the home destroyed by fire Saturday evening, is organizing efforts to help the family who lived there. They were out of town when the 2-alarm fire, blamed on “spontaneous combustion,” happened. Church volunteer Jerri Anne Forehand tells WSB they returned to West Seattle today and are “trying to sort everything out,” dealing with the fact they “lost everything.” First, the Red Cross found them a place to stay tonight, but for the longer run, they are looking for a house to rent, preferably in the Arbor Heights area, because their kids start school next week. Second, the church is collecting monetary donations for them. Jerri Anne says you can drop a check off at the church or mail it in – make the check out to the church, designated for the fire victims’ fund, and they “will cut one big check for them” later this week, she says. Arbor Heights Community Church is on the corner of SW 102nd/41st SW (mailing address is 4113 SW 102nd, zip 98146), 206-935-5714; if you want to stop in or call with a check and/or information on a potential rental, someone will be there 10 am-2 pm Monday-Thursday this week.

VIdeo: Fire destroys Arbor Heights home; water problems; firefighter hurt

(EDITOR’S NOTE: SFD has now announced the cause. New story here.)

(WSB photo by Tracy Record)
ORIGINAL 5:35 PM REPORT: On our way to house-fire call in the 10200 block of 41st SW. Black smoke can be seen from more than a mile away. (added 5:43 pm) Near the scene. Police and fire are blocking 102nd near Arbor Heights Community Church. More shortly.

(Video added 6:16 pm)
5:50 PM UPDATE: We’re right next to the house with spectators. It is fully engulfed in flames. A neighbor says she does not believe the residents were home.

5:58 PM UPDATE: Still burning. A tree between the house and its neighboring home caught fire and the people next door are fighting desperately to make sure their home doesn’t catch fire too.

Dozens of neighbors are watching and at times cheering the firefighters. The neighbor who believes the homeowners weren’t here when it started says that she got a knock on the door, telling her the neighbors’ home was burning. No word of any injuries so far. Neighbors say it appears the hydrants might have been having problems initially – we’ll be checking on that with SFD.

6:16 PM: We’ve just heard a firefighter’s radio crackle with the word the fire is under control. No word on the cause yet, they’re still actively fighting it. But it is more smoke and charred wood now, still some flames visible inside. We just added video from the height of the fire, and will add a newer photo in a moment.

6:26 PM: They’re still pouring water on the fire. Other media just now arriving. The sun’s rays are making an eerie pattern through the trees that surround this house.

7:05 PM: Fire Chief Gregory Dean has just briefed the media. He says a firefighter suffered burns and was taken to Harborview. He confirms that there was a problem with hydrants and with water pressure; also, fire units took longer to get here than they normally would have, because primary responding companies were tied up with aid calls.

(Photo by Tony Bradley)
The first truck to arrive was a ladder truck, which doesn’t carry water. Subsequent companies used their water, and finally a line was laid to 35th SW to get water at full pressure. This was officially a two-alarm fire. We have the fire chief’s full briefing on video and will upload it as soon as we can. (added – here it is:)

Absolutely no indication yet what caused the fire; investigators can’t even get into what’s left of it, yet. still many, many firefighters still on scene. As for other hydrants in the area – we asked SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore; he says Seattle Public Utilities is responsible for hydrants, so we will have to ask them about what they plan to do to make sure that other hydrants in the area are OK. Thanks also to everyone who has sent photos and video – we will be reviewing them when we get back to HQ shortly.

ADDED EARLY SUNDAY: Some of the other scenes, from both the fire location and from far away, as people noticed black smoke rising high into the air – pictures ahead: Click to read the rest of VIdeo: Fire destroys Arbor Heights home; water problems; firefighter hurt…

West Seattle Crime Watch: More details on pellet-gun arrests

We’ve finally obtained the report on the drive-by pellet-gun-shooting arrests first reported here last week, when police arrested three 17-year-old boys after two people reported getting hit in Arbor Heights. Read on for the narrative, including one suspect allegedly admitting to police they had done this before: Click to read the rest of West Seattle Crime Watch: More details on pellet-gun arrests…

Happening now: Making a splash at Arbor Heights Block Party

That’s the coolest bouncy toy we’ve seen today – part of the Arbor Heights Community Church-sponsored Block Party, continuing till 4 pm in ARK Park at 41st and 102nd (map).

Face painting, volleyball, overall fun in the sun. And face painting!

The AH church is also where a crime-prevention meeting is planned on August 30th – 7 pm.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Drive-by pellet-shooting arrests

8:24 AM: A possible breakthrough in the recent series of drive-by pellet-gun shootings: Late last night, we checked out police activity on 35th SW in Arbor Heights, after scanner traffic indicated someone had called 911 after getting hit near 37th SW/Ocean View Drive with an Airsoft-type pellet from someone driving by. While medics were on the way to check out the victim, police quickly stopped potential suspects blocks away, on 35th near 104th. Their investigation briefly closed 35th SW (iPhone photo at right), till the suspects’ car could be towed, but we didn’t get details confirmed till this morning: Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams confirms that “3 juvenile males were arrested in the Arbor Heights area last night for shooting an Airsoft gun at more than one person. The juveniles were shooting at people from the car they were cruising around in. The potential that this group is responsible for recent previous incidents of a similar nature is being explored in the investigation.” We’ll add anything more we find out today.

1:03 PM UPDATE: A little more information from SW Precinct operations Lt. Pierre Davis – starting with how the incident was reported last night: “The victim reported he had been shot in the chest by teenagers in a passing vehicle. As Officers came into the neighborhood another victim called 911 to report he had also been shot by the same group. The vehicle was stopped leaving the scene and all three 17-year-old male passengers were arrested for assault. The three was in possession of a very realistic looking Air-Soft (toy) assault rifle which is very capable of causing injury. The Southwest Precinct officers did an outstanding job investigating this incident and also in stopping this group’s crime spree.”

Coming up in Arbor Heights: Crime meeting and block party

Arbor Heights Community Church sends word of two upcoming neighborhood events: A crime-prevention meeting with Seattle Police is planned for 7 pm Tuesday, August 30th, at the church (4113 SW 102nd). All AH residents are welcome, as is also the case with the annual block party, happening even sooner – official announcement ahead: Click to read the rest of Coming up in Arbor Heights: Crime meeting and block party…

Update: Garage fire in Arbor Heights, 2 cars damaged

4:39 PM: A garage is on fire in the 10000 block of 40th SW (map) in Arbor Heights, and SFD was sending a “full response” to protect adjoining home(s) – but just determined that wasn’t needed, so some units are being canceled. More when we get there in a few minutes.

4:50 PM UPDATE: Added a photo. We’re told there are two vehicles in the garage, damaged by the fire. No word yet on the cause; no report of injuries. The fire isn’t completely out yet, but it’s been reported “tapped”; smoke is still visible at the scene, but no flames.

5:20 PM UPDATE: SFD confirms, nobody hurt. They won’t know for at least a few hours how it started. The garage/cars’ owner was home at the time, we’re told, but neighbors were the ones who reported the fire. We’re adding a few more photos (including a substitution for our original cameraphone photo).

Update: Shooting in Arbor Heights sends man to hospital

(8:23 PM TOPLINE: 1 man shot, not life-threatening, no arrests so far, new details just added from police)

5:24 PM: We’re at SW 97th and 33rd SW in Arbor Heights (map), where a shooting was reported in the 9700 block of 33rd a short time ago. Police are said to be looking for a male suspect who got away in a red vehicle – update, a maroon Bronco. Officers are searching for evidence and talking to possible witnesses.

They believe the victim and suspect may know each other. Scanner traffic indicates the victim was shot once, 40-caliber bullet, through the hip area.

ADDED 5:56 PM: Gang unit detectives are here, though that doesn’t always mean gang activity is suspected – and some of them already have left. Lt. Von Levandowski from the Southwest Precinct has just provided more information: The victim is a man, shot while standing on the sidewalk, with shots fired by somebody in a vehicle. They now think three people were in that vehicle, which they describe as a maroon SUV (not necessarily a Bronco). Investigators have been combing the block for shell casings, trying to determine exactly which direction the shot was fired from.

6:26 PM: Nothing new. SPD media-response Det. Mark Jamieson is expected to brief media at the scene shortly.

7:06 PM: Det. Jamieson was diverted elsewhere before arriving, but via Twitter, reports that the victim and suspect did know each other, that the victim’s injury is not life-threatening, and that “gang detectives are investigating.”

8:23 PM: New information from police via SPD Blotter:

On July 16th, at about 5:10 PM, Southwest Precinct officers responded to the 9700 Block of 33 Avenue Southwest on a report of a shooting. An adult male who had apparently befriended the suspects the night before, met the suspects, described as two black men and a white female, outside of a residence where he was planning on purchasing some items from one of the suspects. As the victim reached for his wallet, one of the suspects pulled out a gun. There was a struggle over the weapon, and the victim was shot once in the buttocks. The suspects fled in a maroon Ford Bronco. Police and Seattle Fire responded to the scene and SFD transported the victim to Harborview Medical Center. The injury is not considered life-threatening.

Gang detectives also responded and are following up on potential leads. This remains an active and ongoing investigation.

West Seattle schools: New Arbor Heights mural tells salmon story

(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
One more last-day-of-elementary-school West Seattle story: Arbor Heights Elementary celebrated a new artwork this morning, just before its end-of-year assembly – a mural for its playcourt. AH teacher Mark Ahlness tells WSB, “It is the culmination of months of work by all students, under the direction of artist-in-residence Jihyun Andersen.” He has a Flickr gallery up. The artist was there when WSB contributor Ellen Cedergreen stopped by:

Jihyun is also an Arbor Heights mom, with a son finishing his kindergarten year. She thought the playcourt looked rather stark, so the mural idea was born, and has been under way since May. It depicts the Fauntleroy Creek ecosystem when salmon are released – a Salmon in the Classroom activity in which AH participates.

Ellen reports that the 5th graders did a lot of the free-hand drawing and the kindergarteners used bug stamps to populate the creek. The 1st-4th graders worked on the plants and birds.

Jihyun told Ellen she plans to add a few trees, then seal the mural with varnish to protect it.

West Seattle schools: Arbor Heights Elementary’s new principal

A new principal has been announced for Arbor Heights Elementary School, less than one month after current principal Dr. Carol Coram announced she’s moving to an assistant-principal job at Denny International Middle School. From the letter going home with AH students today, from West Seattle’s executive director of schools Aurora Lora:

I am excited today to announce the appointment of Christy Collins as your new principal, effective July 1. Ms. Collins comes to Seattle Public Schools from the Lake Washington School District and brings more than 29 years of experience leading faculty and students. She is an instructional leader and has made a lifetime commitment to quality education. She is well-known for her work in building partnerships with the community and I know she will be a great fit for the Arbor Heights families, students and staff.

Ms. Collins served as principal of (McAuliffe) Elementary in Sammamish from 1999-2006 and was principal of Rockwell Elementary in Redmond from 1993-1999. Most recently, she served as Special Education Coordinator for the Lake Washington School District for the past four years. In this role, she guided and directed all aspects of administration of special education programs for the district.

She started her career as an elementary special education and general education teacher, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in K-8 education from Western Washington University and a Master of Education in Education Administration and Principal Certification from Western Washington University.

Ms. Collins was selected after a hiring process that included input from staff and families in the Arbor Heights community. The selection team committee was impressed with her curriculum expertise, special education background, and experience with Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop. Please join me in welcoming Christy to Arbor Heights and Seattle Public Schools!

According to the AH PTSA website, Collins will be at the school tomorrow morning to meet parents. Also changing principals for next school year is Lafayette Elementary, as reported here yesterday.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen car found via Twitter

Longtime WSB’er Margaret Lanphier is getting a shoutout on the SPD Blotter website today – for helping reunite a stolen car with its owner. Spotting an unfamiliar car on her Arbor Heights block, she checked SPD’s @getyourcarback Twitter account – which sends out the plates of cars reported stolen – and found it had been tweeted. Turned out the car had been stolen from Capitol Hill. Read the full story here – including advice for people whose stolen cars are recovered, stemming from what was found inside this one.