UPDATE: Car fire on Alki

10:35 PM: Thanks to the texter who sent that photo of a car fire on Alki, between Duke’s and Natalie’s, this past half-hour. No info yet on the circumstances, but it’s out, and there’s no indication of serious injuries. We’re following up with SFD.

10:57 PM: Thanks to Angelo for the photo added above. Meantime, another witness emailed us this report, saying the car “Was in front of me heading West on Alki Ave. Was leaking a ton of gas. It finally slowed and turned left near the burger place then it seemed like it was going to stall and then it sputtered like it needed oxygen. Was blocking both lanes. Then out of nowhere flames came up from under all 3 sides (couldn’t see the front). And a trail of fire following the leaking gas on the pavement behind it started to head back to my car. Had to drive through the flames to get safely around it. Everyone on the sidewalk started running.”

ADDED FRIDAY MORNING: SFD confirms no one was injured and has no other info as the fire wasn’t suspicious and therefore the investigator wasn’t called out.

Lamont July 13, 2023 (10:46 pm)

Think I smelled that on S. Alki ~2/3rd of a mile away. Went around the backyard trying to see if something closer to home had caught on fire.

V July 13, 2023 (10:54 pm)

Car fire on Alki around 9:50pm tonight 7/13. Was on Alki Ave SW near Blue Moon burgers. I called the fire department (as did others).Was a ‘70s style rocker car. Had 2 low exhaust looking tanks up front by the cat converters (about an inch or two off the ground so those might have caused the spark hitting the pavement but don’t know for sure).Was in front of me heading West on Alki Ave the whole way. Was leaking a ton of gas, had to shut the air vents. It finally slowed and turned left near the burger place then, while turning into the other lane it sounded like it was going to stall and then it sputtered like it needed oxygen. Then out of no where flames came up from under all 3 sides (couldn’t see the front). And a trail of fire following the leaking gas on the pavement behind it started to head back to my car. Had to drive through the flames to get safely around it. Everyone on the sidewalk started running. Wanted to make sure everyone in the car was ok. Didn’t hear an explosion. No way to get to them with the flames shooting up and the amount of gasoline around them and on the ground. Fire Dept did show up.Looks like they got out ok from the pic so that’s good. My car smells like gas now and am not going to get much sleep. Not a good way to end the day. Bummers on their car too, hoping it can be fixed.

ToooooHot July 13, 2023 (11:17 pm)

I’ll take the under on “hoping it can be fixed”

Frog July 14, 2023 (11:21 am)

It’s strange how, when commenters insert images in their WSB comments, often the image is not at all what they intended.
- WSB July 14, 2023 (1:03 pm)
  
  It’s a glitch sometimes in the mobile view. If you’re looking at desktop/laptop, you shouldn’t have that problem.

Rick July 14, 2023 (7:07 am)

Thas’ one HOT car, baby!

Sillygoose July 14, 2023 (7:41 am)

What a bummer for the owner this looks like a really cool old car! Hopefully it can be restored.

Marcus July 14, 2023 (10:03 am)

Probably bottomed out on one of those speed bumps. Too bad about the fire yet I bet word is getting out that these bumps can severely damage cars with little ground clearance.

AlkiBean July 14, 2023 (10:38 am)

Looks like a classic car…feel sorry for the owner! Glad no other cars were involved or anyone was hurt!

beaner66 July 14, 2023 (3:05 pm)

If that is a “classic car”, then I am older than thought. lol!
- Neighbor July 16, 2023 (12:40 pm)
  
  I know how you feel. To me those are a dime a dozen beater. I’m stuck at the turn of the century. Looks like a 1982-1988 GM G Body. So somewhere between 35 and 41 years old. It’s been a “classic” for at least a decade. People really like those cars now. Makes sense, you can do a lot with them.

AD July 14, 2023 (1:55 pm)

There should probably be warning signs about the new speed bumps on each end. Those huge speed bumps are horrific. My unmodified 1960’s car bottomed out the last time I drove the beach. Feel so bad for the guy with the burned out car.