UPDATE: Fire at Beach Drive house ruled ‘accidental’

1:41 AM: Another big Seattle Fire dispatch – this time headed for a report of a possible fire at Beach Drive and Jacobsen Road. Updates to come.

(Added: Video sent by Ann)
1:44 AM: First crews on scene say smoke is visible from a house.

1:51 AM: The address is now the 4700 block of Beach Drive. “Water on the fire,” a firefighter just told his colleagues and dispatch. … And a minute later, they’ve reported the fire is under control.

1:54 AM: They’ve just checked the house’s basement and report smoke and flames there.

1:59 AM: They’ve also found fire “in the walls.” No word of injuries so far.

2:12 AM: The fire’s out; no one was inside, firefighters report. If the revised address on the SFD log is correct, this is the house just south of Emma Schmitz Overlook that was the former Quesnel’s Restaurant decades ago. It’s now on the books as a duplex.

2:28 AM: Some units are being dismissed. The cause is under investigation.

2:39 AM: Beach Drive Blog‘s photo confirms it is the former Quesnel’s.

3 AM: BDB now says it’s 4701 Beach Drive, not 4703 as logged by SFD. Meanwhile, we’ve added video above, sent by Ann.

10:08 AM: SFD spokesperson Kristin Tinsley tells WSB, “Fire investigators ruled the fire as ‘accidental,’ caused by electrical failure/overheating involving the refrigerator power supply or refrigerator itself; ignited nearby combustibles.”

10 Replies to "UPDATE: Fire at Beach Drive house ruled 'accidental'"

  • pelicans March 17, 2022 (1:49 am)

    Strong swell of smoke at Alki Point…

    • Elizabeth A Ackerley March 17, 2022 (1:58 am)

      Prayers for residents and firefighters/first responders.

  • Deb Brown March 17, 2022 (1:57 am)

    Huge response of rigs. We’re just SW of the scene. 

  • Rhonda Porter March 17, 2022 (2:44 am)

    It’s not the duplex – it’s the “chicken coop” just north of the duplex that was once the restaurant. Thank goodness nobody was home at the time of the fire.

    • WSB March 17, 2022 (3:14 am)

      OK, changing the headline again. Thank you.

      • Rhonda Porter March 17, 2022 (3:55 pm)

        No problem! :) Just glad nobody was home. 

  • Don Brubeck March 17, 2022 (9:53 am)

    The “chicken coop” house began its life as a barn on the other side of Beach Drive.  It became Katherine Byrnes’ grocery store, 1914 to 1945, when it was moved across the street. 

    • WSB March 17, 2022 (10:14 am)

      Thank you!

      Meantime, I’ve added SFD info on the cause, above.

    • Rhonda Porter March 17, 2022 (3:56 pm)

      Don, is what is now the duplex the “chicken coop”? My husband and I are having a debate. The home that caught fire (4701) looks more like a chicken coop to me than the duplex (which I believe was the barn that was moved and later the restaurant). 

      • Don Brubeck March 18, 2022 (8:45 am)

        Rhonda Porter, I looked back at notes from Southwest Historical Society plans for a tour of old grocery stores.  I was mistaken about the chicken coop house. Now I agree that the barn that became Katherine Byrnes grocery store is now the duplex at 4703.  I don’t know which of you two is the winner of the kitchen table debate, but thanks for bringing it up.  Lots of hidden history in our midst.

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