West Seattle, Washington
11 Wednesday
(WED. AM UPDATE: Fire guts Arbor Heights home, 2 residents hurt, cause not yet known, scroll to see new photo)
(Photo courtesy Tim Eannarino)
FIRST REPORT, 7:49 PM: Fire crews have rushed to the 10000 block of 39th SW for a house-fire call. More as we get it.
(Photo by Tony Bradley)
7:54 PM: The callout keeps getting bigger. Smoke visible for a ways around.
(WSB photo by Patrick Sand, substituted for earlier cameraphone pic)
Scanner traffic says the fire started in the basement and that there is a vehicle on fire at the site.
(Photo courtesy Christi Stapleton)
7:58 PM: Our crew just arrived on scene. Paramedics are treating one person. Black smoke continues pouring from the home. Flames are visible too.
(Added: WSB video, including the moment when fire broke through the roof)
It’s being described on the scanner as a “defensive” firefight.
(WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
8:11 PM: The fire continues to intensify. Neighbors are tweeting – thanks to Colby for this photo:
@westseattleblog @KING5Seattle pic.twitter.com/iZ9b7ACgkA
— Colby Blanton (@colby_blanton) April 30, 2014
8:20 PM: Two neighboring homes are at risk, according to SFD via Twitter, also confirming that two people are being treated by medics at the scene.
(Photo by Kevin McClintic)
The fire is “tapped,” our crew at the scene reports, which is one milestone toward getting it under control. The SFD public-info officer is there so we and other media will be able to get comprehensive info in addition to what we’re seeing and hearing firsthand.
(Photo courtesy Christi Stapleton)
8:29 PM UPDATE: We just talked with SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore, who says water pressure was NOT a problem, but Seattle Public Utilities did increase the pressure to help with the firefight (we heard that mentioned on the scanner, too). [Added – editor’s note: Those questions stem from a problem with hydrants in Arbor Heights that hampered the fight against a big house fire in 2011. There have since been major upgrades.) He says the two people are still being treated. No idea yet how this started. Moore also says two neighboring homes were evacuated because of danger the fire might spread, and everybody got out OK.
(This photo and next one by Tony Bradley)
8:47 PM: Continuing to add photos – thanks to everyone who has shared theirs – and will be adding ours too as the crew processes them back at base, including video of Moore’s briefing.
9 PM: Sounds like firefighters will be able to go inside. (added) Neighbor Christi says crews are trying to make sure it’s safe for neighbors to go back into their undamaged homes.
9:23 PM: Added – video of Moore’s briefing, including more details on the two people who were inside the house and were being treated for burns/smoke inhalation. We also added, higher up in the story, video showing the flames erupting through the roof following the dark smoke that could at one point be seen from some distance away.
9:50 PM: Earlier we had mentioned a vehicle – above, a photo by WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli. We’re going back over to check on where things stand now. SFD’s Moore tweeted a few minutes ago that the man and woman who were hurt are in their 70s; both suffered smoke inhalation; both were taken to Harborview Medical Center in stable condition; the man also suffered burns. The house was ruled a total loss; the fire’s cause is still under investigation.
10:36 PM: Firefighters are still on scene; light smoke is still rising from the house. They tell us it’s not safe for the investigator to go in yet, so what caused the fire likely won’t be known any sooner than tomorrow. Since both residents of the house were taken to the hospital, there’s no Red Cross or other relief agency on scene.
1:10 AM: Another photo from neighbor Christi – Engine 30, on fire watch. With major fires like this, there’s usually an engine on scene (they rotate) for many hours afterward, just in case of a flareup.
10:12 AM WEDNESDAY: Still no word of the cause but firefighters remain at the scene; the house is still smoldering, and they have been continuing to work to ventilate it:
When there is word of the cause, we’ll publish a new story.
(WSB file photo of Hiawatha wading pool)
None of the Seattle Parks-operated wading pools/sprayparks will be open in time for the early heat that’s about to hit, but in case it makes you wonder about this year’s schedule – we discovered it’s already out. See it here. Highland Park‘s spraypark will start its second season on May 24th; after that, Lincoln Park‘s wading pool will be the first to open, on June 21st, and again this year, it will be open 7 days a week. The Delridge Community Center wading pool will start its season June 23rd and will be open Mondays, Tuesdays, Saturdays, Sundays; June 25th will be the first day for the EC Hughes (Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays) and Hiawatha (Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays) wading pools. South Park will start up on June 23rd, open Mondays, Tuesdays, Sundays.
Across the street and up the embankment from the Fauntleroy ferry dock is a semi-hidden gem – the Fauntleroy Creek fish-ladder viewpoint. It’s been there since the restoration project 15+ years ago, and right now it’s getting a little bit of TLC – Judy Pickens shares the photo and the following description of what’s happening in it:
Al Zurowski prepares the promontory at the viewpoint above Fauntleroy Creek for new decking. He and fellow carpenter Bill Miller with Seattle Public Utilities are replacing deteriorating decking installed when the viewpoint and fish ladder below it opened in 1998. The viewpoint will be busy starting Thursday as 600+ students come to the creek during May to release coho fry.
Judy is a watershed steward and devoted volunteer who will be busy during salmon-release season too, and she says the viewpoint work – expected to last all week – should “give everyone a much-safer platform for viewing the fish ladder.”
Two more events to add to our list of what’s up tonight:
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE HONORS CISCOE MORRIS: 6 pm tonight at Brockey Center, the annual “Friends of the College” benefit recognizes outstanding scholarship-recipient students and alumni. In the latter category is gardening personality Ciscoe Morris, chosen Outstanding Alumni of the Year for 2014, 37 years after he graduated from the Landscape and Horticulture program at South.
DINE AT DUKE’S ON ALKI, HELP WEST SEATTLE BOOSTER BACK BASEBALL: First a game report:
That’s pitcher Larry Jensen, who Greg Slader (thanks again for the photo and game summary) says was perfect through three in the Wildcats’ 6-2 loss to Eastside Catholic on Monday. The Wildcats outhit the Crusaders 7-6 but as Greg reports, “one bad inning allowed six runs (after a highly contested play at the plate) and the only numbers that matter are runs scored.” The Wildcats visit Chief Sealth IHS tomorrow at 4 pm – but before that, you can give them a boost TONIGHT by dining at Duke’s Chowder House on Alki. Assistant coach Scott Meaker sends word that Duke’s is donating part of tonight’s proceeds to the West Seattle Booster Club, “in direct support of the West Seattle High School Baseball Team. All the money raised will help support the on-going championship program that last year finished 2nd in the Washington State High School Baseball tournament. That tournament, a trip to Pasco for the championship weekend, depleted all our previously raised funds so help us to replenish them so that we can provide a quality, safe, championship environment to promote better play, better players, and a better, higher quality baseball experience for our student athletes.” Dine at Duke’s 5-10 pm tonight (2516 Alki Ave. SW, reservations encouraged).
Thanks to Patricia for the tip (she saw the sign going up Monday): More than two years after its completion, the retail building on California SW built north of, and along with, Admiral Safeway is finally on the brink of being fully occupied. The final of its five spaces is going to the Las Vegas-headquartered chain GoWireless, which has more than 300 stores. It appears from GoWireless’s website that this is its first venture into Seattle city limits, though it has outlets elsewhere around the King/Snohomish/Pierce/Kitsap Counties metro area; as you can probably tell from the signage, its business is focused on Verizon, though it’s a separate company, we learned while researching. We’re still waiting to hear back from GW corporate HQ on when they plan to open.
Four notes in West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon. First, police are responding right now to Roxhill Park again – this time to check out a report of an assault/fight involving people who apparently know each other. Via scanner, it sounds as if they’ve caught up at Westwood Village with one person involved, but they’re getting conflicting stories as to what, if anything, really happened. So this is just an FYI in case you saw/heard the police response. Now, from the WSB inbox:
JUNCTION CAR BREAK-INS: Richard reports multiple cars broken into in the Jefferson Square Apartments garage in The Junction overnight, including his, and the thief/thieves broke car windows (including his) to get in. It’s been reported to police.
Car prowl and mailbox prowl reports ahead:Read More
12:41 PM: Seattle Police have just reopened Walnut Avenue between Stevens and Forest after debris and wreckage was cleaned up from that crash on the east side of West Seattle High School/Hiawatha park. The driver hit a tree, according to Antonio, who sent the photo. We are checking with Seattle Fire, which had a two-unit medic response, regarding the age/condition of the driver; we don’t believe this involved major injuries, since the unit that investigates that type of crash was not called out. We’ll update with whatever we find out from SFD.
2:56 PM UPDATE: SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore tells us that the person driving the car was a man in his 60s “who suffered a head injury after his SUV hit a tree. The air bags did not deploy.” He was taken to Harborview Medical Center.
The event announcements shared with us daily are published via the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, where you can browse days/weeks ahead at any time to see what’s coming up. The PNTA store in North Delridge just sent the most unusual announcement we’ve received in a while, so we’re sharing it here too:
PNTA is hosting the Semi-Finals for the 5th Annual Crypticon Seattle Makeup Contest on Saturday, May 3rd, with round 1 starting at 10:30 am and round 2 starting at 12:30 pm. Over the course of an hour, each contestant will create their best horror fx makeup look, (a la Syfy’s Face Off). This is a free event, and families are welcome!
The top 5 contestants will advance to the final round of competition, which will be held live at Crypticon Seattle over Memorial Day weekend. For more information about the May 3rd event, please see the event page. PNTA, Seattle’s theatrical supply store, is located at 2414 SW Andover St (near Delridge Way). Plenty of free parking.
(Ready for the warm weather? Somebody is! Spotted Monday north of The Junction, shared on our Instagram feed)
Along with sitting outdoors and enjoying the weather as soon as you can, here are a few other options for the rest of your day/night, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, where you’ll always find even more:
DROP-IN CHESS: Kids and teens are invited to stop by the High Point Branch Library at 4 pm for drop-in chess. (35th/Raymond)
JUNCTION NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION: Development is the perennial hot topic for the recently revived Junction Neighborhood Organization (JuNO), and tonight the one in the spotlight is 4439 41st SW, 40 apartments and 5 parking spaces, with neighbors voicing concerns and preparing for a community meeting procured via petition. 6:30 pm, Senior Center of West Seattle. (California/Oregon)
TEENS, POT, BOOZE: How best to talk to your tweens/teens about it? Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) invites you to get some practical advice tonight via “Teens, Marijuana, Alcohol, and Reality… Setting the Framework for Healthy Communication.” EW adds, “The expert speaker is Dr. Kevin Haggerty from the Social Development Research Group of the University of Washington Department of Social Work. Parents, caregivers and their children (middle-school-aged and older) are invited to attend.” Here’s the Facebook event page. (10015 28th SW)
TUESDAY TUNE-UP: Live music at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), raising money for the Sexual Violence Law Center, 6:30-8:30 pm; details in our calendar listing. (1936 Harbor SW)
STEPS AT STEVENS, COMMUNITY DESIGN WORKSHOP #1: You’ve heard about the project to create a safer, more-attractive passageway into West Seattle High School – now, you have the chance to help shape it, as previewed here. WSHS Commons, 7 pm. (3000 California SW)
BLUES TO DO: 8 pm at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), it’s your weekly dose of the blues. this week with Miles from Chicago and special guest Teri Derr; details in our calendar listing. (6451 California SW)
MORE NIGHTLIFE, MORE DAYTIME EVENTS … awaiting you in the calendar.
If there’s a middle-schooler in your house and you’re still mulling her/his high-school plans, Westside School (WSB sponsor) has an event of interest: Its first High School Fair, 6-8 pm Tuesday, May 20th. Here’s the announcement:
The fair will host approximately 15 Admission Directors from the Seattle area, along with two boarding schools. We would like to invite students and parents to the fair, with the purpose of providing an opportunity to learn more about these great schools.
We appreciate this is an exciting and uncertain time for many middle-school families and it brings with it a range of emotions, questions and concerns; therefore, we are inviting a selection of current eighth-grade parents to share their recent experiences and pass along some
handy nuggets of advice.Schools attending the high-school fair will be:
Bishop Blanchet, Seattle Prep, Kennedy, Eastside Catholic, Seattle Lutheran, SAAS, The Northwest School, Lakeside, University Prep, The Bush School, Annie Wright Schools, St. Michael’s University School (BC), Aviation School, and Holy Names Academy
If you have any questions regarding the fair on May 20, please contact Glyn Jenkins at HSHelp@westsideschool.org.
Westside (which itself now runs through middle school) is at 34th/Holden.
The “live” view above is the one West Seattle Bridge that’s working this morning; below, northbound 99 at the south end of the remaining elevated Alaskan Way Viaduct:
You can find more cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page – most of the ones that were out Monday are working again. Meantime, no trouble so far on the outbound-from-West Seattle routes; updates if and when there’s anything of note to report.
7:48 AM: Jen reports “what looked like a fairly minor two-car collision, pulled off on the (narrow) shoulder off the far right lane, near the crest of the eastbound WS bridge” via comments – thanks! Apparently no injuries, since it’s not on the 911/fire log. (A moment later) Kerry tweeted that the bridge is “backed up to 35th.” So – give yourself extra time if you haven’t left yet and are headed that way.
8:36 AM UPDATE: There’s a report of a crash partly blocking the I-5 northbound offramp to Mercer, which historically can complicate NB traffic pretty quickly, so you’re forewarned if you’re heading that far.
8:54 AM UPDATE: And more northbound I-5 trouble, tweeted by WSDOT:
And here's a collision in the right lane of NB I-5 south of Olive. pic.twitter.com/awszGp8CmC
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) April 29, 2014
9:20 AM UPDATE: Text from Metro says routes including 21, 55, 56, 120, and RapidRide C/D are routed off Seneca St., so you’ll have to get off at 3rd/Pike/Pine if you’re headed that way.
9:44 AM UPDATE: Metro says everything’s back to normal on Seneca.
(Video by Edgar Riebe of West Seattle-headquartered Captive Eye Media)
The women you’ll meet in that video are what and who “Style ’14” this Thursday night is all about – their stories reveal how you can help Northwest Hope and Healing, the West Seattle/West Seattleite-founded and -run organization that assists cancer patients as they get through day-to-day life, which doesn’t stop down just because you’ve been diagnosed with cancer.
Your ticket gets you into Showbox SODO for a runway fashion show with models who also happen to be breast-cancer survivors. You can get a ticket to just attend the show, or you can buy a VIP ticket including admission to a pre-event party and cocktail reception with “heavy appetizers,” reserved seats, and a thank-you gift. Doors are at 6:30 pm for VIP, 7 pm for general admission, with the fashion show at 7:30 pm; it’s a 21+ event. Also part of “Style ’14”: West Seattle businesses including West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), Carmilia’s, Coastal, Ola, Twala Intimates, and more, as well as West Seattleites who are on the volunteer planning committee. You can buy your ticket online here (see the left sidebar of that page).
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