This morning the Seattle Times says three firefighters were taken to the hospital, one with a possible broken arm. This is the scene this morning and the smoke odor hits you from a block away. 8:12 AM UPDATE: Fire Department quote here, new construction goes up “like a campfire” (as Garrett’s photos show) … By the way, Cali IS open past the fire scene; watch out for looky-loo slowing.
The southwest corner of the building had the most damage.
What is it with repeats out here in West Seattle, first we had several shootings in a row and now two 2 alarm fires in a row. It’s defiantly been an interesting summer. Glad that no one was seriously hurt and that they were able to stop the fire from spreading much. Very glad the building was under construction versus being inhabited.
We live about a mile as a crow flies away from where the fire was and were completely oblivious to it until we saw it here.
Once drywall is installed in a building, the chance of a fire spreading really goes down.
Don’t feel bad, Robert, we’re not even a block away and slept right through it…some superheros we’d make!
I’m about 2 blocks away and drove past this about 6:30 AM on my way to work. I am surprised there are not more comments. This is a big deal! This looks like arson to me.. I am surprised no one has brought this up. Am I alone in my wonderings? I hope W Seattle doesn’t start to get the arson problems with condos that Ballard and Fremont have.
Is this the building that people were discussing on that other forum, the one with the weird Cali Ave address and controversial design? (controversial in that some people loved it, others hated it)
Nope, I see know from a WSB update that it’s not the building I’m thinking of.
From the strange but true coincidence files: I live about 1.5 blocks away and nearly had a house fire myself yesterday. Somehow a random spark or ember got into a crack in my wood fence. I’d noticed the faintest smell of something burning but figured it was due to construction happening next door. I found the source of the problem just in time, because the wind had kicked up enough to cause the burning ember to burst into flame! Got the hose on it before things got out of control. A small chunk of my fence got burned away, I think the ember had been burning in there for a while. It could’ve been much, much worse. Still trying to figure out where this spark or ember could’ve come from… my only guess is a next door neighbor who smokes outside, or perhaps something related to the construction.
Todd: I’m with you – first thing I thought of was arson but truly hope not. I can’t remember if the roof was on which would mean that the electrician was probably in the process of doing the rough-in which could have sparked something. But my gut says arson.
Sorry, comment time is over.
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