Update: North Delridge house fire blamed on wiring problem; separate police investigation

6:59 AM: Seattle Fire units are arriving at a possible house fire in the 4800 block of 25th SW [map]. More to come.

7:07 AM: It was declared “tapped” relatively quickly. Via scanner, crews are reporting it as a “room fire” and saying two people were home at the time, both of whom got out OK.

7:29 AM: The fire is out and firefighters are leaving. Police are on scene investigating what was described via scanner traffic as an apparent (marijuana) “grow op.”

7:56 AM: City Light is on scene too; fire and police are continuing to investigate.

8:24 AM: SFD says the fire was started by a wiring problem, with damage confined to a “back bedroom” and estimated at $15,000. The SFD report says police are investigating “items found in the basement of the home.” Our crew, still on scene, says that the remaining fire crew is pulling material away from one corner of the back of the house (photo added above), apparently to check for anything still smoldering.

13 Replies to "Update: North Delridge house fire blamed on wiring problem; separate police investigation"

  • Sherrie August 6, 2014 (7:19 am)

    Fire department just left north of us. I’m not sure which house had a room fire.

  • Angela August 6, 2014 (7:50 am)

    That must have been what woke me up this morning. Wow! Wonder if it was the up a all night neighbors with the band?

  • USA August 6, 2014 (9:44 am)

    Ugh, leave the pot growers alone, we’re done with the police state surrounding cannabis. If anything this should be a tax issue and should not involve overzealous authorities enforcing outdated policy based on lies and bigotry.

  • Ann August 6, 2014 (10:24 am)

    Just spoke to the neighbor whose house caught fire. Apparently the fire started from the electrical “Seattle city light” box.

  • ltfd August 6, 2014 (1:22 pm)

    “Ugh, leave the pot growers alone, we’re done with the police state surrounding cannabis. If anything this should be a tax issue and should not involve overzealous authorities enforcing outdated policy based on lies and bigotry”.
    .
    Can’t leave the Seattle Fire Code and Seattle Building Code elements alone, regarding “pot” growing operations. Building occupants/business owners are still responsible to follow the codes, get permits for structural and electrical modifications, and build/install systems appropriately. It protects building occupants & neighbors from unnecessary hazards- structural, electrical, and fire.

  • Dale August 6, 2014 (5:58 pm)

    If this was a rental house I feel bad for the owner as “grow houses” can destroy a homes structural intergrity with mold, etc. The fact that the electrical box was tampered with tells me that electricity was being stolen. This is vandalism to the dwelling owner-(again, if this was tenants doing the damage) and is not covered under many Dwelling Fire policies. Yes, I have insurance experience in this field and strictly post this as a FYI for the prospective owners. Hopefully, my thoughts wont transpire for the homeowner(s).

  • JT August 7, 2014 (6:45 pm)

    Dale,

    Have you ever stopped to think maybe that the smart meter caught fire? Why don’t you do your self a favor and stop wasting your time with your ill outlook upon the industry. The smart meters are being recalled by 100,000 + all over Oregon and Canada soon WA. FYI mold does not grow in a environment with less than 60% humidity and any educated farmer knows this rule of nature. I highly doubt they are stealing electricity jack!

  • Suspicious August 7, 2014 (8:32 pm)

    @ Dale – Thanks for that info.

    It appears it is a rental house. Interesting that this exact same house had a garage fire in the past –
    http://web1.seattle.gov/DPD/permitstatus/Project.aspx?id=749887
    The owner has been on the hook for various code violations at at least one of their other properties. Something seems worth SPD pursuing here.

    Don’t grow pot illegally in a neighborhood house with a bunch of hokey wiring. If you do, expect it to get you into trouble. Pot is legal, but illegal grow operations are not. Keep it above board people. Don’t ruin what the voters approved.

  • Suspicious August 8, 2014 (5:31 pm)

    @ JT – News Flash! Seattle City Light does not currently use Smart Meters/Advanced Metering within any of its service areas. So your theory on the cause of this fire is invalid.

    http://www.seattle.gov/light/ami/

    Old houses such as this one have chronic problems with wet basements due to poor foundation drainage systems, if they had them at all. The suggestion that adding additional moisture/humidity into this area with an illegal pot grow operation isn’t going to cause problems for the homes humidity level and concurrent mold/rot is pretty much the argument of a chronic stoner.

  • JT August 9, 2014 (3:19 am)

    Bull crap! I’m not sure where your getting your info, but there was a smart meter installed in the house! How the hell could Seattle city light read the meter with two 80lb Pit-bulls and 12 cameras along with a fully fenced yard? Seattle city light took the smart meter right after the fire and there were a a number of witnesses along with one being myself! News flash! Here are a few articles and links for you for I like to cite my sources ya know. How about we stop and think about what is the average humidity of Seattle air? If you do you will find that your humidity levels go beyond the 60% mold level limit for Seattle is notorious for mold related issues occurring in the natural environment. E.g if the humidity in your basement or whatever is over 60% mold will grow. If your humidity levels are constantly lower than 60% then mold growth will not occur.

    Sincerely,

    Neighbor

    http://m.thestar.com/#/article/news/canada/2014/08/08/smart_meters_linked_to_13_fires_in_ontario_fire_marshal_says.html

    http://emfsafetynetwork.org/smart-meters

    http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2014/07/pge_replacing_some_electricity.html

    http://mobile.oakpark.com/News/Articles/10-1-2013/Getting-to-the-root-of–smart-meter-fires/

  • JT August 9, 2014 (3:35 am)

    Oh, and in case you thought there needed to be an Investigation. Hoe about we start with Seattle city light and the GE….

    http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Smart-meter-fires-being-covered-up-.html?soid=1106306412269&aid=oSebom0vyxk

  • Suspicious August 19, 2014 (10:54 am)

    @JT,
    Seattle City Light has not installed any exterior of house Smart Meters/Advanced Metering systems. None. Zippo. Zilch. The issue of SCL eventually installing them is yet to be decided by the City Council.

    If you saw, or witnessed some kind of smart meter on the exterior of the house then it was bootlegged on by the idiot renters or the even more idiotic owner. Or, they were running a smart reader via a sub-meter installed inside of the house. There are no permits showing online for this house that any of this work was to be legally performed and inspected. Again, idiot renters or idiot owner. Probably both.

    As for mold and humidity in that homes basement, it seems fairly obvious that no one affiliated with the home has a clue how to properly wire to code, let alone monitor humidity. The owner is in deep doo-doo. Hell, maybe you are the owner trying to CYA.

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