UPDATE: One person found dead aftere boathouse fire by 1st Ave S Bridge

(Added: Texted photo)

1:48 PM: Thanks for all the tips. There’s a big fire callout just north of the 1st Av S bridge. SFD says the fire is in a boathouse. Updates to come.

(Seattle Fire Department photo)

2:11 PM: Update from SFD: “6300 block of 1st Ave. South: three boats and boathouse (housing two of the boats) have burned. One person reported to have sustained injuries; search of boats is still underway. Working to put out hot spots.” Here’s a map.

2:52 PM: SFD says that “one person reported to have been aboard one of the burned boats has not been located at this time.” Meantime, SFD investigators are working to figure out what started the fire. (And if you were wondering about traffic, cameras indicate the bridge is operating normally.)

7:33 PM: Molly points out in comments that SFD has since updated to say, “firefighters have unfortunately located a deceased individual inside the cabin area of one of the boats that caught fire. The Medical Examiner’s office has been contacted and is responding to the scene.”

ADDED WEDNESDAY MORNING: SPD’s report summaries includes this additional information on the incident: “The Fire Marshal responded and determined the fire to be accidental. The boat had been occupied by the same elderly man for at least the past ten years. He was reported by witnesses to be in poor health, a heavy smoker, and on oxygen.”

6 Replies to "UPDATE: One person found dead aftere boathouse fire by 1st Ave S Bridge"

  • DBurns May 3, 2022 (1:56 pm)

    Cop at the low bridge seems to be letting traffic pass without issue. 

  • Nick May 3, 2022 (2:10 pm)

    Lots of thick black smoke and a few loud explosions during. Drawbridge was still operating 

  • Molly May 3, 2022 (7:09 pm)

    They updated saying the missing person was found deceased aboard one of the burnt boats. 

    • WSB May 3, 2022 (7:25 pm)

      Thanks, I’ve been head-down in something else and hadn’t checked on SFD’s updates in a few hours. Sorry to hear that.

  • WSB May 4, 2022 (10:10 am)

    Another update today, this time from SPD summaries; added above.

  • momosmom May 4, 2022 (11:47 am)

    So sad for an elderly person to be in those circumstances whether they were wanted or unwanted and to die in this manner.

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