Update: Van fire on westbound West Seattle Bridge

(Photos by Christopher Boffoli)

Original report 11:42 am: Just checking on reports of a car fire in the westbound lanes of the West Seattle bridge. We’ll post more details as we have them.

Update 12:11 pm: SFD has the fire out. Westbound lanes of the bridge are now open, though moving slowly as the right lane is restricted at the West Seattle end of the bridge (just before the intersection of 35th) while police wait for removal of the burned vehicle. It appears the fire was in a commercial van which burned completely. There are no reports of injuries.

Update 2:46 pm: Thanks to those who e-mailed us earlier this afternoon to report that traffic was again moving smoothly. Also, thanks to WSB’er Chris for the cameraphone video of smoke billowing from the van:

Kerry August 28, 2010 (11:56 am)

Just drove by it. There’s a van that looks like a giant toasted marshmallow (black!), they’re spraying that white foamy stuff on it, and cars are so stopped that people are getting out and trying to take pictures. Avoid at all costs!

KeithN August 28, 2010 (11:57 am)

Looks like a white contractor van.

Jeff August 28, 2010 (12:05 pm)

Is this what was blocking up the hill up fauntleroy at the end of the bridge?

I came over the whole bridge about 10 min ago and saw no problems except a backup on the hill, luckily there was room at the time to exit at Avalon.

Jen August 28, 2010 (12:12 pm)

We just drove under the bridge on Avalon, on our way to Alki. Westbound traffic on the bridge was completely stopped – not even inching along.

ltfd August 28, 2010 (12:23 pm)

“they’re spraying that white foamy stuff on it”

Most Seattle Fire Department fire engines can easily add fire fighting foam to the water stream; it’s approximately 99.5% water and 0.5% foam. The foam will allow the firefighters to extinguish flammable liquid fuels (gas, diesel, ethanol), and it improves the extinguishing capabilities of the water stream for normal combustibles as well (trash, paper, structures, etc.).

Diane August 28, 2010 (12:46 pm)

just looked out at the bridge from top of Admiral; looks fine from here

WSnewbie August 28, 2010 (5:59 pm)

Thats not the West Seattle Bridge, just so you know.

christopherboffoli August 28, 2010 (6:25 pm)

WSnewbie: The official 911 call was dispatched to the “Westbound West Seattle Freeway to Fauntleroy.” I expect you’re technically correct, though for many the “bridge” has become a catch-all description for the Spokane Street Viaduct/high-bridge/and connecting roadway, between I-5 and 35th @ Fauntleroy. And at the time of the first post we had no clear report of exactly where the problem was.

Silly Goose August 28, 2010 (8:51 pm)

It looks like the van has been stripped and then set on fire!! Does anyone know yet if this was a stolen van?

christopherboffoli August 28, 2010 (10:56 pm)

We didn’t have an opportunity to speak with the police today about this incident. But it appeared that the contractor who was driving the van was at the scene (unharmed).

Silly Goose August 29, 2010 (9:19 am)

Thanks Christopher, after I posted that I thought it might have been the van stolen in the home invasion incident and the suspects were retaliating against everyone’s comments, by setting it on fire!! Glad this wasn’t the case, sorry for the contractor, this is an expensive loss hope he had full coverage.

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