UPDATE: ‘Brush fire with exposure’ call in Westwood

1:30 AM: If you’ve heard all the Seattle Fire units – they’re headed to a “brush fire with exposure” call in the 2500 block of SW Cloverdale. More to come.

1:51 AM: Tried to catch up with the crews – finally spotted one set of flashing lights in the middle of the residential complex east of Southwest Athletic Complex. No flames/smoke evident by then except for a bit of the latter in the lights on Trenton between SWAC and Westwood Village.

2:27 AM: In comments, Denise says neighbors used hoses to get a handle on it even before firefighters arrived.

aa July 18, 2015 (1:34 am)

On top of things as always. Was wondering what all the sirens were for.

Melissa July 18, 2015 (1:52 am)

Where is the 2500 block? Were on 25th and cloverdale and haven’t heard sirens but heard a loudish sounding blast about 30-45 minutes ago

Jim P July 18, 2015 (1:54 am)

I live just south of there, didn’t hear a thing but was wondering why I was smelling smoke.

No activity on the Westwood Village side of that wooded area at all. I don’t even see the lights or hear anything from the trucks.

Strong smell of smoke and a bit of ash floating int he air.

WSB July 18, 2015 (2:02 am)

The call is now closed, which means the last unit has left, verifying my determination that it didn’t seem to be a big deal. I published this just because there were a lot of sirens, initially a 5-unit callout – quite audible where we are, with a window open by my desk. We’re having some trouble with SFD frequencies so I didn’t hear anything beyond verification they’d arrived, so that’s why I went out to be sure there weren’t flames and smoke rising in the air out there somewhere …

Denise July 18, 2015 (2:12 am)

It was a pretty intense fire with high flames right after the loud boom. I live two buildings south of it and sparks and flames were shooting above the sight line of the two- or three-story townhouse right across the street from it. The residents along Cloverdale, between 26th Ave SW and the alley were moving cars. The neighbors had greatly reduce the fire’s intensity with garden hoses by the time the fire trucks showed up. Sure would like to know what caused the boom that set it off.

WSB July 18, 2015 (2:27 am)

Thanks for the details, Denise. Like the one we happened onto in High Point a few days ago, these can move fast – and be handled fast.

Longfellow run resident July 18, 2015 (2:40 am)

I live on the corner where the fire started.
About 1:25 ish I heard a loud explosion. It was most certainly one of the many fireworks that are set off constantly in this area well before and after the 4th.
I went to the window to yell at whoever was setting them off.
I saw flames, grabbed the dog, wallet, clothes.
As I opened my door, a neighbor was there telling us to get out.
The bushes on Cloverdale were in flames, spreading fast. This is at the alley, south end between 26th and 25th ave.
Everything is so dry, and due to the possible water shortage, we avoid watering as much as we normally do.
There were several men and women, whom I would like to thank sincerely for showing up, getting all of us out, getting hoses on the fire and calling 911. Also, thank you for keeping an eye on my terrified dog, and helping me move my car- its a stick, so if I was rude in any way when I asked you to move, I apologize!
If the guys hadn’t gotten the hoses when they did, the fire would have spread to our fences and houses and my car.
You unknown neighbors saved homes and lives. You are good people.
I would also like to thank the fire department for arriving quickly and making sure everything was out.
I would like to advise everyone who is still setting off fireworks- please stop. Your blast of “fun” could have killed humans and animals, cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage, displaced 4 families, not to mention the stress on top none of us getting sleep tonight.
Maybe everyone should think about watering their entire yards before they got to bed at night.
Thank you again for everyone who helped!

Bree July 18, 2015 (5:59 am)

We heard a boom about a week ago. First voices, then a sizzle sound and a very loud boom. Think some type of firework. Never did see anyone as down on Ferry Ave.

West Seattle Hipster July 18, 2015 (9:09 am)

An enforceable ban on fireworks is needed. Write to Mayor Murray an Governor Inslee and ask for a ban on these types of explosives.

Matt S. July 18, 2015 (9:22 am)

@Longfellow run resident: I’m glad you’re alright, thanks for sharing your experience. I hope that if something was on fire in my block that I’d be so lucky to have (or be like) your neighbors. Inspiring even for a cynic!

dcn July 18, 2015 (1:34 pm)

I heard the boom too, 3 blocks away. It was louder than your average firework. I doubt the people setting off fireworks at 2 am would care about any ban, since it would not be enforceable. If something is set on fire, the people responsible are not going to stick around to be arrested for it.

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