About the dark smoke visible from downtown

5:10 PM: A texter sent that photo as several other readers were asking if we knew anything about that dark smoke from downtown. It’s a fire response logged to Fairview and Mercer, in the South Lake Union area, just re-coded on the 911 log to “encampment fire.” Firefighters are still working to extinguish it, according to radio exchanges.

6:06 PM: SFD says the fire is under control and that no one was hurt.

ADDED TUESDAY: Regional media has long since picked up on this – our initial basic item was published because they were slow on the uptake and we were getting lots of questions. But for the record, here’s the SPD report summary posted today:

At 1654 hours, officers responded to assist SFD with a fire that occurred in an encampment located near Minor Ave N / Mercer St. The encampment was in a vacant lot near an apartment building. SFD put the fire out before it could damage the apartment building. No one was in the encampment during the fire and the only losses were tent structures and personal property inside the encampment and plant life. Witnesses described a suspect who may have started the fire. Officers located that suspect in the area. The suspect provided information indicating that he lived in the encampment and accidentally started the fire. The suspect was taken into custody for Reckless Burning 1st degree.

AR August 14, 2023 (5:33 pm)

From the Seattle Times: A large fire next to Interstate 5 at Mercer Street is sending a massive column of dark smoke above South Lake Union.Seattle Fire Department crews were responding to an encampment fire at the intersection of Mercer Street and Fairview Avenue North, according to the city’s dispatch log and the Seattle Department of Transportation.
All eastbound lanes are blocked and people should avoid the area.

flimflam August 14, 2023 (7:01 pm)

It’s shocking that the city continues to handle these camps as if there’s nothing they can do about it. It’s a danger to everyone there and the immediate neighborhood. Allowing this stuff isn’t compassion it’s enabling. Lovely hot evening for plumes of black smoke next to your apartment building.

Joe August 14, 2023 (8:08 pm)

Flimflam, I couldn’t agree more.
Buttercup August 14, 2023 (8:27 pm)

I agree with you, unfortunately, how the city Hass to handle this is a problem. There are so many departments and so many teams that have to be put together and it takes forever. Besides, the fact there’s just not enough we have space for these people to be able to move into to receive the help that they need great series on Netflix right now called painkiller. It’s all about OxyContin and the problems. It’s caused in our country it’s worth watching.
- Niko August 15, 2023 (12:10 am)
  
  I’ll have to check that documentary out that you mentioned. What bothers me is there’s so many agencies as you mentioned and it’s an excuse for taxation there’s no incentive to fix the problem because as I’m sure you know it’s common in this state that money doesn’t end up where it’s supposed to go
Jim August 15, 2023 (12:09 am)

Not to mention This city that claims to care about the environment allows the level of toxicity that comes from these camps and the illicit activity