UPDATE: 2-alarm house fire on Puget Ridge; 6 people and 1 cat all get out safely, no injuries

| Puget Ridge | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)

7:05 PM: Seattle Fire is at the scene of a reported house fire in the 5200 block of 18th SW [map] on Puget Ridge. They’ve just called for two more engines and are reporting the fire is visible through the roof of one side of the house.

7:11 PM: Via scanner, it’s being described as a heavily involved attic fire.

(Added: Reader video, via text – thank you!)
7:14 PM: Also via scanner, they’re pulling crews out of the house and declaring it a “defensive fire,” apparently because of danger from a power line – they won’t go back inside until power is shut off.

(Added 7:18 pm: Thanks to Jon for the photo)
7:21 PM: Neighbors tell our crew at the scene that people were home when this started but made it out OK. Flames are still visible.

7:29 PM: Firefighters have gone back into “offensive” mode and report the fire’s “knocked down.” No word of injuries so far. SFD is calling for the Red Cross to come offer help to the residents.

(WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
7:46 PM: SFD spokesperson Lt. Sue Stangl has just briefed media. She says six people were home and all did indeed get out OK, as did their cat (photo above; rescuer was SFD Lt. Kym LeRoy). She said the fire was in the garage, living room, and attic when firefighters arrived, and discussed the electrical-line problems we mentioned earlier. She also confirms, no injuries. We’ll add video of her briefing once we upload it.

8:06 PM: SFD says all six of the people who were displaced are adults. The cause of the fire isn’t known yet – investigators are on scene.

8:53 PM: We’ve added the video of Lt. Stangl’s briefing. She also says via Twitter that “one elderly woman … was carried out of the house by a neighbor.”

Avalon Resident November 22, 2015 (7:25 pm)

It must be pretty big. Lots of sirens and lights headed up the hill over there.

Trickycoolj November 22, 2015 (7:30 pm)

Strong toxic smoke smell (not like campfire or BBQ) has definitely drifted over to High Point. Hope they can keep it contained to one house. Glad everyone got out ok.

Russ November 22, 2015 (7:30 pm)

This is just behind our house, lot of smoke. Hope the family recovers ok. Thanks for the update

Arlene carter November 22, 2015 (7:45 pm)

Prayers for this family. That was a big scary fire. So relieved to hear there are no injuries to the occupants or the many firefighters here on this call.

Ca November 22, 2015 (7:48 pm)

Wsb please keep us posted. I am part of a lovely community group that gifts things. We always pull things together. Especially right before holidays. Hope everyone is okay

WSB November 22, 2015 (7:50 pm)

CA – the Red Cross has been called to help the family so the best thing now unless we hear directly from anyone involved (and it’s usually way too soon in the moments and even hours after something like this), is to support the Red Cross.

~Hockeywitch~ November 22, 2015 (7:57 pm)

Man oh man, lots of smoke. Just opened my back door at 35th and Morgan and can smell the smoke REALLY REALLY strong, and really thick in the street lights. That is definitely NOT the smell of fireplaces or wood stoves. that is definitely house fire. Sad for the people who lost their home, but so glad to hear that no one has been hurt. Sending my thoughts to them and theirs.

Beth November 22, 2015 (8:06 pm)

Please let us know if there’s anything we can do for the families in this holiday season!!

Alyxx November 22, 2015 (8:15 pm)

I echo the offer of help to the people & cat involved. We got detoured onto 21st, thanks to the folks directing traffic! And sorry my dog barked at you when you were telling us what happened.

Robin November 22, 2015 (8:45 pm)

I also have a lovely couch, chair, and a beautiful entertainment center they can have for their new place if they want.

Mary Dye November 22, 2015 (9:48 pm)

Such a sad thing to happen and hope as a community we can help this family out..Even though all are out safe..I have heard from many that the water pressure in the West Seattle hydrants is less than adequate!

WSB November 22, 2015 (9:51 pm)

Mary, there was a problem in Arbor Heights that factored into a fire several years ago. It was subsequently fixed – we covered it all here in depth (search the site on Arbor Heights hydrants, for starters). There was no water problem tonight per SFD. There was an electricity problem that forced them to step back and go “defensive” for a while, as chronicled in our story. – TR

maddy November 23, 2015 (9:55 am)

Firemen remained on the scene all night and are still there this a.m. House is still smoldering. A neighbor brought them coffee and doughnuts this a.m. Air quality is not good in the neighborhood.

WSB November 23, 2015 (10:06 am)

That’s a standard “fire watch” for this kind of fire – so they’re there in case of flareups. Looks from the log like Ladder 11 took over a short time ago.

Lacey November 23, 2015 (10:15 am)

Talked with one of the firemen this morning. He talked about how the family had a large accumulation of belongings, which posed a significant risk of house fire. Tangled electrical cords + piles of combustable materials pose a real risk for fire in homes that are packed full of stuff. It also makes it difficult to put the fire out, because of obstructed exits, falling objects, and excessive fire loading.

BlairJ November 23, 2015 (11:38 am)

“one elderly woman … was carried out of the house by a neighbor.” Impressive kind of neighbor to have!

WSB November 23, 2015 (12:34 pm)

Writing a followup right now … SFD has ruled the fire accidental, caused by a lamp tipping over and igniting clothing. – TR

Diane November 23, 2015 (12:46 pm)

first thing I heard on always-looking-for-drama-TV-“news”; “WS house fire caused by hoarding”

Melissa November 23, 2015 (2:56 pm)

This was our mother’s house that burned down last night and thank you all for being so caring. Its amazing to see that we really do have caring neighbors, so thanks for the support. There seems to be a lot of confusion of the people living here so I’ll explain a little. My mother has a disability called RS that attack’s your joints and robs you of your ability to hold things in your hands and to walk. So recently as of August I have moved home with NY wife to give her the best care possible in her own home. She has been in this home for 30 years. She was a professor in music at the University of Washington when RS was discorverd. Do to lack of movement the house has become full and we have been very busy working hard to get things in order. But the house is a total loss as of now its not livable. So if anyone has a rv for cheap please let us know so we can be out of the cold while we start the rebuilding process. Also her wheelchair was destroyed if you can help that would be wonderful. Thank you again for your care and help and prey’s.