Update: House fire on SW Southern in Gatewood

| Gatewood | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

7:01 AM: We’re on our way to a house fire in Gatewood, 4100 block of SW Southern (map). Per the scanner, initial crews are calling it a basement fire, and saying it’s under control. More to come.

7:14 AM UPDATE: Just added a photo. Per the scanner, the fire is tapped – firefighters are focusing on looking for spots of “extension,” where the fire might have moved from the basement, where they believe it started. Investigators have been summoned to help find out how it started. No report of any injuries.

7:22 AM UPDATE: Our crew at the scene just talked with firefighters. They confirm no injuries – the people who were home got out OK – the only big concern is a dog that might have been in the house at the time; they’re looking for the dog. Some of the fire units already have been released from the scene.

ADDED 8:05 AM: Photo of the actual house. Investigators are still en route.

Dc March 12, 2011 (7:06 am)

Amazing how quick you guys are, we’re listening to the sirens right now and you already have the article up. I said that I was going to check the blog to see if you have whats going on and my husband said that no way there is anything up, the sirens are still blaring! Great work, hope everything is ok at the fire.

js March 12, 2011 (7:09 am)

Ditto! Thanks for the speedy update. Hope there are no injuries!

kae March 12, 2011 (7:12 am)

Yeah, we woke up to five rounds of sirens going by and got up to see what’s happening and my husband turned on the TV and started looking online and couldn’t find anything and I said, check the blog duh, and of course there you guys are! Wives and the blog know best. Hope no one is hurt.

Brad Fletcher March 12, 2011 (8:11 am)

I know that street well. My Grandfather built one of the very first homes on that street at 3934 SW Southern Street in 1912. Wonderful large and beautiful home. Almost 100 years ago now.

Ryan March 12, 2011 (8:19 am)

Thanks for the updates. We live two houses down from the fire but I’m out of town right now. Through your updates and my wife’s first hand commentary, I know everyone (my family and our neighbors) is safe.

csw March 12, 2011 (11:42 am)

Brad Fletcher, could you contact me. I am trying to find out who the contractor was for my house, also built in 1912, Gatewood. csw2119@gmail.com

I’ve very sorry about the fire, glad no one was hurt. Was the dog found?

neighbor March 12, 2011 (12:02 pm)

It was my neighbors house. Both dogs were still in the house but finally found. It was a little scary for a while. The fireman told the homeowner the dog may not be found alive but the owner wouldn’t believe it and sure enough she was found after the fire was put out and all the smoke had been cleared. She was scared and smelly but safe. The homeowner ran out of the house when the sound of the fire woke her. She ran out of the house and did the smartest thing she could do. She yelled Fire Call 911 and the neighbors did exactly that.

LB March 12, 2011 (3:33 pm)

Anyone “upwind” on Southern St have brown water? We’re guessing it is from use of the hydrant, wondering when it will clear up.

So glad everyone is ok! Love to pass that house when their urban orchard is in full bloom!

DC March 12, 2011 (4:15 pm)

Thank goodness everyone (dogs included) is ok.

KHS March 12, 2011 (8:37 pm)

Very happy to hear everyone – including dog – is okay.
LB – we live just up the road and we have brown water. We looked it up and it seems pretty common (after fire hydrant use)- everything we read though said it would likely clear in a few hours… and ours still looks pretty bad… so I guess just patience?

KHS March 12, 2011 (10:16 pm)

It’s me again (responded to brown water note) — is anyone else also having problems with water hammer? It just started for us, and we are wondering if it could also be related to the hydrant use this morning.

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