Update: Fairmount Springs fire blamed on ‘food on stove’

(UPDATED THURSDAY AFTERNOON with fire cause)

(WSB reader video added 5:38 pm, courtesy Lola Peters)
5:16 PM: Fire crews have just arrived and already are saying the fire is under control. It’s in the 5600 block of Fauntleroy, near Fairmount Park. Fauntleroy is being blocked off at Findlay because of the fire units. More to come.

5:22 PM UPDATE: The response is being downgraded to what SFD calls a 2 + 1 + 1 – they’re canceling several of the units. Still avoid the area for a while. No injuries are reported.

5:38 PM UPDATE: Southbound Fauntleroy Way has just reopened.

5:55 PM UPDATE: Fire crews tell us at the scene that this started as a kitchen fire, and the flames spread to the roof. Nobody was home when it started. Investigators aren’t sure yet what caught fire in the kitchen – it’s not safe for them to go onside yet.

THURSDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: From Seattle Fire spokesperson Kyle Moore:

(The fire) was caused by unattended food on the stove, according to a Seattle Fire Investigator. The kitchen fire caused an estimated $45,000 in damage to the home located in the 5600 block of Fauntleroy Way SW.

Ladder Company 11 arrived at 5:08 p.m. to find smoke coming from the roof of a locked 1-story home.

Engine Company 37 and 36 joined firefighters from Ladder 11 to perform an aggressive attack on the fire and quickly contained the flames to the kitchen area. The fire burned the kitchen cabinets and extended into the attic. The flames were completely extinguished in 10 minutes.

Firefighters remained stationed outside the home until 11 p.m. to ensure the flames did not reignite.

Debbie February 1, 2012 (5:19 pm)

Wow, I’m not sure how controlled it is….4 more SFD cars and another engine went by my house.

Mike February 1, 2012 (6:47 pm)

We live just down the street, and wandered over there. The fire appeared to be out when we arrived at 17:20, handled by the first two engines on the scene. The remaining engines arrived shortly after, and were just watching and/or turning around.

Debra February 1, 2012 (8:06 pm)

I live near this place. Two of the big trucks with lifts have left, but one is still here with lights doing some kind of work or clean up. They cut some holes in the roof, but the work all seems to be at the front. The pump they were using shut off at 8:05.

Dee February 1, 2012 (8:51 pm)

I was just passing by when I saw a lot of people pulling over and trying to check the house for people inside. I asked if they needed me to call 911 and they did….so I did. I was pretty upset by the amount of people that were driving fast through that area EVEN AFTER firetrucks had arrived. I was even yelling at cars to slow down….. two firemen even had to yell at a truck that not only kept driving at speed limit (or faster) but did not even have the courtesy to vere wide around the fire truck. I can’t understand people that are in such a hurry that they can’t even slow down and respect those that might be trying to help out someone in need. Kudos to the people that stopped to help AND to the firefighters that not only take a risk fighting the fires but also to avoid being run down by inconsiderate people. When did it become NOT ok to pull over for sirens and lights. :(