Comments on: Update: Fire at boarded-up house in Westwood

By: Riomama

Riomama — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 15:09:05 +0000

WA state: as one of the neighbors dealing with this for almost 6 months, we have started the process for a nuisance property. It wasn’t until we had been calling regularly for a few months that SPD told us of this option. I’ve been in constant contact with the son and grandson of the homeowner about getting this dealt with, but since they don’t live in the neighborhood anymore, they are slow in their responses. I hope others in similar situations start the process sooner.

By: anonyme

anonyme — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 13:32:09 +0000

They’ll be back. Adjoining properties have been having problems for months with trespass, car prowls, litter, etc. There is a utility easement at the rear of the property where fence boards were removed for access. Police are unable to do anything about the illicit traffic back there as it is partly public property – which leaves the private property owners to deal with the consequences on their own.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 19:18:06 +0000

Lot’s of comments about the number of fire rigs at the incident in question. Standard residential house fire response in Seattle is as follows:

4 Engines (4 firefighters each)
2 Ladder Trucks (4 firefighters each)
2 Battalion Chiefs
1 Deputy Chief
1 Aid Car (2 firefighters each)
1 Medic Unit (2 firefighter/paramedics)
1 Air Truck (to replace used air bottles)
1 Staffing Officer
1 Safety Chief

Seems like a lot of rigs/firefighters, but manpower is critical in working fires. Plus a big first alarm allows for a larger manpower pool to work from, so that there can be a safe and efficient rotation of fresh crews.

By: WA State Nuisance Lawsuit Time?

WA State Nuisance Lawsuit Time? — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 02:27:22 +0000

I’ve always wanted someone in West Seattle/Delridge to use this:

http://www.rooseveltneighborsalliance.org/main/_Nuisance_Properties.html

I think it would be a shot heard round the city and would send a strong message that the game is over for the numerous irresponsible property owners and speculators who let their semi-boarded up vacant houses cause nothing but problems and blight for the people who live around them.

By: Riomama

Riomama — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 23:39:03 +0000

Val – I’m sure you’d be welcome to have the Plymouth. It hasn’t been driven for at least 5 years!
Coffee – the owner’s family had the house boarded up about 6 weeks ago. However, the squatters have pulled the plywood off the windows and doors to get back in.

By: coffee

coffee — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:12:24 +0000

Val, and one might add, when someone lets a house sit like this and not keep it secured, why are they not billed for the cost of the fire department? I have always thought that if one willingly leaves something that could be prevented then they should pay for the expense of cleanup….

By: val vashon

val vashon — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 19:29:54 +0000

Save the Plymouth! Seriously, doesn’t 55k in damage total a house like this? If it’s worth boarding up, it’s worth scheduling a date for it with the backhoe grabber thing. While I appreciate that there may be people who were using it for legitimate shelter, I can’t believe how long owners are allowed to leave a house vacant and boarded up or obviously abandoned. We can all think of two more within walking distance that are in the same sad shape, one indoor campfire away from meeting this fate.

As a society we need to provide shelter for all who need it, and to maintain our neighborhoods free from eyesores like this. Abandoned housing stock should not be the de-facto shelters for the homeless.

By: WSB

WSB — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 16:00:05 +0000

In reply to coffee.

Coffee – it was hard to confirm as the dispatch has been “26th/Barton” all along. We just confirmed the address as 9213 26th SW (the third house from the southwest corner). I still don’t know why it was dispatched as “fire in building” instead of “fire in single-family residence” – the former would be valid if it were a duplex (or triplex, etc.) but county records just show it as a single-family house. – TR

By: coffee

coffee — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 15:47:53 +0000

I drive by all the time, which house is it? Is this the brown one on the corner?

By: Riomama

Riomama — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 14:52:11 +0000

I live next door and was awakened by the sirens and smell of smoke. The house is vacant and transients have removed plywood to regain entry multiple times. Maybe the family will be forced to take action now.

By: trick

trick — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 14:05:15 +0000

@ Drew, same here, I shot out of bed thinking it was in my house it was so strong.

By: Drew

Drew — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 14:00:25 +0000

Yeah, really strong smell of woodsmoke around 35th/Roxbury, wonder what that is about?

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 13:49:40 +0000

My 21 local was about 5 min late after getting through the fire area.

By: Erin

Erin — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 13:47:36 +0000

Several emergency vehicles on site for apparent fire across the street from Westwood Village

By: Weenster

Weenster — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 13:39:59 +0000

911 says it’s a fire. I haven’t seen so many emergency vehicles in a long time. 26th is a primary bus thoroughfare, so they tried to rerout everything down 25th but it’s not wide enough. Riders may want to choose alternate means this morning