UPDATE: Another fire call at 35th and Holly, possible hotspot from early-morning arson

| High Point | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

2:12 PM: Fire crews are back at 6558 35th SW. The road is blocked at Holly. More to come.

2:20 PM: More fire crews continue to arrive. Firefighters are focused on the roof. Avoid the area – 35th is blocked south of Morgan and the side streets are jammed.

2:40 PM: Added photos (and Instagram video below). Firefighters are cutting into the building’s mansard-style roof.

A video posted by West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) on Oct 19, 2015 at 2:16pm PDT

The response has brought in multiple ladder trucks, another sign that this fire is centered atop the building, which – if you missed our coverage of this morning’s arson – is home to the Seattle Housing Authority’s High Point rental office as well as other tenants including a mosque.

2:51 PM: While we are still awaiting official information at the scene, a High Point resident says in comments that the homeowners’ association has sent e-mail describing this as a rekindled hot spot from this morning. Via the scanner, we’ve heard SFD make plans to keep “fire watch” on scene – which is typical when there’s concern a fire might re-ignite.

3:04 PM: Seattle Fire spokesperson Lt. Sue Stangl has just spoken to us and the citywide media at the scene but will not confirm that it’s a hotspot – she says their investigator is still on the way, and firefighters are still working on the roof to make sure there’s nothing else smoldering/burning. Via scanner, meantime, we’re hearing that they’re trying to move crews around so 35th SW can be reopened, but in the meantime, we’ll say it again – AVOID THE AREA – 35th is blocked south of Morgan and that’s jammed side streets such as 34th and 36th.

3:35 PM UPDATE: The fire has just been declared “tapped.” Arson investigators are at the scene (photo above). 35th SW has just reopened northbound and should have a southbound lane open soon – though we’d still advise avoiding it, as it’ll be “one lane for a (short distance) right at Holly” for a while.

4:16 PM: Commenter Nora confirms 35th is open again.

Jay @ Hill Crest October 19, 2015 (2:40 pm)

Side streets are jammed with traffic, and 34th is already jammed due to school dismissal pick-up!

HP-res October 19, 2015 (2:41 pm)

Just got this email notification from the HighPoint HOA:

“For those who have been hearing the sirens or jumped on the Blog to spot news of Seattle Fire Department back on site at the SHA Management Office building–this is a hot spot along the roof that apparently was not fully extinguished this morning. So not a second attempt by the same individual. “

LarryB October 19, 2015 (3:13 pm)

I sincerely hope that it is a hotspot, and not arson. I drove past there a bit before 2, just as fire crews were pulling hoses across 35th.

It looked like TV crews were already there.

Not a great day for High Point. I really hope there’s not too much damage, especially to the mosque.

WSB October 19, 2015 (3:19 pm)

The TV truck on the south side of Holly has been there since the morning; they were going to do the arson story for the evening newscasts anyway, so just happened to be there – we saw the same truck when we went back on our way home from court, and then when arriving for this. Definitely a lot more damage to the building now, though, since tackling this type of fire requires cutting into the roof for ventilation. Too soon to say how much.

cluelessinws October 19, 2015 (3:37 pm)

West Seattle – Heading in the wrong direction. Too many people, too much crime.

smokeycretin9 October 19, 2015 (3:43 pm)

How many fires are going to happen in such a tiny radius of the neighborhood before someone calls this a serial arsonist?

Nora October 19, 2015 (4:05 pm)

Just drove through- 35 has re-opened and traffic’s moving smoothly, despite the occasional rubber neck.

WSB October 19, 2015 (4:15 pm)

Thanks, Nora, you’ve saved me a trip over to look.

W.B October 19, 2015 (4:51 pm)

Watched this all day as I live a few houses down. While the damage may not look terrible it was pretty crazy seeing how many firefighters it takes to handle these situations efficiently and safely. Seeing them work on the roof while it was smoking and on gire was pretty scary. Glad there was no injuries.

ltfd October 19, 2015 (5:36 pm)

“How many fires are going to happen in such a tiny radius of the neighborhood before someone calls this a serial arsonist?”

Sounds like you are calling it, and rightly so.

brizone October 19, 2015 (5:39 pm)

SFD is canvassing the neighborhood passing out yellow flyers about this right now (a couple guys from station #29, up in Admiral!), I’ll email you a photo of it.

WSB October 19, 2015 (5:39 pm)

Thanks!

~Hockeywitch~ October 19, 2015 (5:51 pm)

Just drove down 35th to home at the corner of Morgan.. Was surprised to see the FD back at the building. Glad it was just a hot spot and that it wasn’t RE-set. Was woke up this morning by the original call out.
Saw Firefighters walking up 35th near the Reservoir Park, with yellow fliers,

Eric October 19, 2015 (6:07 pm)

Did we ever find out what started those garage fires a few weeks ago

WSB October 19, 2015 (6:13 pm)

Both stories had updates in them – Roxbury was set, Admiral was accidental.

Kittenfuud October 20, 2015 (12:42 am)

I had a dentist appt today on 35th and came upon the scene when they were first starting to cordon off the area. U-turned south to get out of the way and pulled over to call the dentist. This is my 3rd cancellation so until she heard the sirens, the receptionist was skeptical! Glad no-one was hurt, and I got to skip some pain myself for a week! But seriously something needs to be done about all the crime in the South W. Seattle/Burien area. It’s out of hand.

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