UPDATE: Death investigation after RV fire in SODO

10:09 AM: A few people have asked about the report of a person found dead after a fire under the east end of the West Seattle Bridge in SODO early today. Here’s the Seattle Fire Department news release sent to us and other media:

On Thursday, January 5, 2016, at approximately 3:20 a.m., the Seattle Fire Department responded to reports of a motor-home fire at the intersection of 1st Avenue S and S Spokane Street [map] after receiving notification from the Port of Seattle Police Department.

Firefighters arrived to heavy smoke under the [Spokane Street] viaduct and immediately began firefighting efforts. During the search, firefighters located a deceased adult inside the vehicle. A secondary search concluded there were no additional occupants and the fire was under control by 3:29 a.m.

Fire Investigation Unit members are currently investigating the cause and estimated damages for this incident. Seattle Police Department were also on scene.

This is outside the Southwest Precinct‘s jurisdiction; we’re checking with SPD media relations for any additional information on the death investigation.

10:39 AM: Just went to the spot where this happened; it is just east of the 1st/Spokane intersection. The RV (shown in a Seattle Times photo here) has already been towed, leaving behind only some debris and broken glass.

FRIDAY NOTE: The Medical Examiner’s list of cases for today includes what is apparently this one, an SPD-investigated death that has been ruled accidental, the result of smoke inhalation. The victim was identified as 37-year-old Daniel Jackson.

WestCake January 5, 2017 (12:07 pm)

Did the fire damage the bridge and if so, to what extent? If recreational fires can indeed damage the bridge, maybe that’s not a good spot for people to be living.

WSB January 5, 2017 (4:45 pm)

There was no report of bridge damage. In fact, if you look at the photo of the RV that I linked to – we went over to look after publishing the SFD news release, but it had already been removed – the RV itself doesn’t even appear seriously damaged, so if the fire wasn’t enough to gut the vehicle, it certainly wasn’t going to damage the bridge. No charring on the nearby pillar that we could see. As for whether the fire was “recreational,” there hasn’t been an announcement of a cause yet. I don’t expect to hear from SFD before tomorrow as the PIO has been busy with other incidents since then, including most recently the fire on 1st downtown. – TR

flimflam January 5, 2017 (4:40 pm)

very sad. the fact is many of these RV’s are hazardous and barely drivable, let alone any possible electrical issues, etc.

Alki Resident January 5, 2017 (4:53 pm)

I’m sad that a person died alone in the cold and the first thing people want to know is how’s the bridge. Reminds me of the time I drove for a living. Someone nailed me,I was slightly hurt and my boss asked how the truck was.

Marcus m January 5, 2017 (6:12 pm)

Surprised that the media didnt mention that there is a small city of RV dwellers in that spot since this spring

Sarge January 5, 2017 (6:33 pm)

Gave my down sleeping bag to a guy living out of his old Dodge pickup down there couple night’s ago. It’s so cold out. I was working late and saw him shivering in his truck. He needed it to survive. The poor soul in that rv was trying to stay warm and died.

HappyOnAlki January 6, 2017 (9:31 pm)

Sarge, thanks for caring. And doing something about it.

Mike January 5, 2017 (9:05 pm)

Sad, worse is Sawant wants to keep people in those conditions and not make them find realistic shelter with heat and better conditions. We need to start electing officials that take responsibility for the jobs they’re elected to. We cannot depend on SFD and SPD to take care of these issues.

dsa January 6, 2017 (12:16 am)

Probably fairly old RV considering there is no driver’s door. Occupant likely had some sort of portable heater that failed.

22blades January 6, 2017 (9:18 am)

So is this what a “World Class” city looks like? A city which has, arguably, one of the highest concentration if wealth in the world. We look like we’re building a dystopia of gated communities and work zones surrounded by despair. We claim to be liberal minded but we go to work in company busses and send our children to private schools, islotating ourselves those other messy problems. We want the best because the best is “winning”. When there’s “winning”, there will be losers instead of a community that raises the bar for everyone.

Newcomers decry at our outrage in the loss of civility in our hometown. We say, what did you bring to the table for all. Not you, but for all.

Alkima January 6, 2017 (7:02 pm)

That is a heartbreaking story, and so incredibly upsetting that we can’t help people like him to at least stay alive. My condolences to his friends and family, wherever they may be.