Update: Smoke trouble at Poggie Tavern in The Junction

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Photo by WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli; also on the scene, WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand, who says fire crews have now traced the smoke (earlier report here) to an area around the electrical panel by the back door of Poggie Tavern (on the alley, as you can see in Christopher’s photo). They’re using a chainsaw to get close enough to put it out. As mentioned earlier, the fire units are taking up a lane on California between Alaska and Edmunds, meaning one lane remains, so avoid that block for now if you can. Also, City Light has turned off the Poggie’s power, so it’s closed for now; Patrick checked on neighboring businesses and they are NOT affected. ADDED 5:01 PM: Patrick reports that firefighters had to cut a hole in the roof too. He’ll be adding video of the chainsaw work that was required to try to reach the source of the smoke trouble. ADDED 6:14 PM: Fire investigators say preliminary indication is that an improperly discarded cigarette is to blame for what happened. The damage was confined largely to the rear facade; the tavern may be closed a few days, it’s estimated (we will check again tomorrow with any ownership/management reps we can find). Here’s our video from the scene:

ADDED 10:14 PM: Went by Poggie on the way back from school-district HQ … already reopened for business.

Jiggers January 29, 2009 (8:02 pm)

Time to remodel.

Aidan Hadley January 29, 2009 (9:16 pm)

Time to enforce State Law which requires smokers to be more than 20 feet away from all entrances, windows and vents.

Zach January 29, 2009 (11:29 pm)

Never remodel the Poggie.

cjboffoli January 30, 2009 (6:31 am)

The part of this story that we missed was the human element: The displaced Poggie’s patrons who were standing forlorn in the alley while their beers sat abandoned on the bar. It was only 4:30 in the afternoon but from the looks of it they already had a pretty good buzz going. As the firefighters scrambled to uncover the smoldering source of the smoke one of the patrons waxed nostalgically about how he had been drinking there since 1969. There was real disappointment and fear in his eyes as if a lot were at stake for him if the joint went up in flames. I guess places like Poggie’s are becoming slowly extinct in West Seattle.

A. Denny January 30, 2009 (8:12 am)

There is a lot at stake. Almost all traces of Poggie-era Seattle are gone. This city was better when the beer and wine taverns outnumbered the cupcake shops and pet supply botiques.

zerodacus January 30, 2009 (2:15 pm)

Yep, the last of an era. Going the way of:
The Jigsaw
The Rainy City
Ye Olde Hour
Chuck and Sally’s
Digby’s

Joe January 31, 2009 (12:30 am)

Anyone old enough to remember those old joints is too old to be hanging out at a dive bar. Grow up… Poggie isnt cool, its an eyesore. I rather drink at that Indian restaurant.

A. Denny February 1, 2009 (9:48 am)

Joe, let’s talk about real eyesores:

The hole in the ground at Fauntleroy Place, when the developer officially abandons it, will be an eyesore for months and maybe years. The Great Wall of Condo being erected behind Petco blocks out light, is out of scale with the neighborhood, and is ugly. The six-packs of cheap townhomes that bloomed like fungus on West Seattle’s neighborhoods are eyesores.

But the Poggie is not an eyesore, even if its sign is not as new as Cupcake Royale; even if attracts a crowd that doesn’t wear Easy Street hooded sweatshirts. The Poggie fits in perfectly in its Junction storefront, and has for many years.

Nobody said that the Poggie was cool. I’m glad you don’t drink there, because it means I’ll never have the misfortune of running into you.

CGJohn February 5, 2009 (1:30 pm)

Joe,
I agree that on the surface that the Poggie may not be the respectable drinking establish most of us, or maybe just you, are use to. Since my first venture in the West Seattle 5 years ago landmark I have enjoyed every night I have gone to that establishment (yes, there have been more than a few), with the exception of one night in which one of my closest friends talked me into putting money into a game that was “ready to pop” (a story for another blog).
The fact is most of the folks that frequent that place have one thing in common; they are common. Weather you make $250 a year or $250,000 a year no one cares. It’s a great place to go and relax (as long as you don’t mind hearing Jim sing a few bars).

As far as the 20 ft rule goes; PLEASE find five establishments in Seattle that actually enforce that. Tough to do when you rent the property.

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