VIDEO: Fire at church buildings in 5000 block Delridge Way

| Delridge | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

12:42 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a “full response” to the 5000 block of Delridge Way SW. Avoid the area. Updates to come.

(Added: Photo sent by TI)

12:46 PM: Dispatch says caller reported flames and smoke from a Full Gospel Pentecostal Church building at 5071 Delridge [map]. First units arriving confirm it’s a “working fire” and that they’re seeing “heavy fire” from one side.

(Added: WSB photo)

12:50 PM: Firefighters now say the fire is in a “detached building” on the church property and is under control. Delridge, meantime, will be blocked both ways between Edmunds and Brandon, per police.

(Added: WSB photo)

12:58 PM: Though they declared it “under control,” the fire is nowhere near out yet. They’re calling for more units. Our crew heading to the scene says smoke is still visible from a distance. Here’s a photo Samuel sent from High Point:

See comments below for other photos of the smoke. No report of injuries so far.

1:10 PM: Added photos now that our crew is there. They report the “detached building” is to the west of (behind) the church’s main Delridge-fronting building, and separated by just a few feet.

(Added: WSB photo)

(Added: WSB video)

1:25 PM: SFD has called the fire “tapped” (mostly out). Our crew has spoken to someone from the church, who tells us the building where the fire started is used as a clothing bank and kitchen, plus meeting spaces for some groups to which the church rents space. We’re waiting now to hear from SFD spokespeople on scene.

1:40 PM: We’ve talked with SFD and will add that video when back at HQ. They said the fire did extend a bit into the main church building. Meanwhile, the response is starting to downsize.

2:15 PM: Here’s the briefing video – mostly what is already reported above, except that three buildings in all were damaged:

That’s SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo. The fire’s cause hasn’t yet been determined; investigators are working on that.

TUESDAY UPDATE: We checked back today. According to spokesperson Cuerpo, “Investigators determined the fire was accidental. Originating in a kitchen, then extending to a dining area.”

ANONDELRIDGE August 12, 2024 (12:49 pm)

tons of black smoke right now

Winnie August 12, 2024 (12:59 pm)

Chris August 12, 2024 (12:59 pm)

From Belvedere area…

Kersti Muul August 12, 2024 (1:00 pm)

From Coleman dock 1PM

Delridge Resident August 12, 2024 (1:03 pm)

I live about 3 blocks away from the church and you can strongly smell the fire from here, it’s really smokey and hazy outside because of it too.

D R August 12, 2024 (1:12 pm)

I’m a little bit farther than that north, and my sympathies that you’re closer.

Eyes are burning, I’d recommend anyone nearby (especially to the north of it) with sensitive lungs stay indoors and turn off any a/c.
- Elton August 13, 2024 (10:05 am)
  
  I don’t think you’d want to turn *off* the A/C because of smoke I think you want to turn it on (if it’s warm out). A/C intake should be inside your house.

Jenny August 12, 2024 (1:04 pm)

View from Delridge playfield. About 10 long trucks drove by in response.

Paula Bamburg August 12, 2024 (1:18 pm)

What was in that shed that caused all that black smoke? Is that normal?

Paul August 12, 2024 (2:20 pm)

Yes, this is normal in a building fire. There is enough petroleum product in our building materials to create this effect any time a building catches fire.
Black smoke is not necessarily a sign of hazardous materials. I would still avoid breathing it.

Mills August 12, 2024 (1:20 pm)

WestSeattleCat August 12, 2024 (1:22 pm)

Grateful August 12, 2024 (1:39 pm)

Thanks Seattle Fire for being on top of the situation so quickly and effectively! Glad to hear from The Blog that there were no injuries or fatalities and no loss of housing unit(s).

WSB August 12, 2024 (2:24 pm)

SFD told us three buildings in all suffered damage, including some to the main building. I don’t know if that was updated info from when we talked to a church person earlier so I don’t know if there was housing in the other auxiliary building but we’ll try to find out.
- Stacia J August 12, 2024 (5:20 pm)
  
  No housing in that building, it was used for storage, community events, meetings, and meals. As someone who used and loved that meeting space, I’m so sad and very grateful no one was hurt. My thoughts are with the pastor and his family and hope the West Seattle community will support them in whatever plans they make to move forward.

John Klopfenstein August 12, 2024 (2:33 pm)

The smoke was visible from Port Orchard, coming over the top of Blake Island.

LJJ August 12, 2024 (3:16 pm)

FYI for drivers, Delridge is still completely blocked by trucks, and alternate routes are nightmare to get through (people not pulling over to allow people to pass from the other direction through single-lane roads). Continue to avoid the area for now, if you can.

Steph August 12, 2024 (10:55 pm)

Decades ago a friend and I had a little brush fire going at my country place and decided to push an old overstuffed recliner onto it instead of hauling it to a dump. Boy were we shocked! The petroleum based fabric and stuffing seemed to explode and a HUGE bunch of black oily smoke billowed high into the air!We thought for sure the fire department would show up and we would get in trouble (they didn’t). It really made me realize how dangerous those products are inside our homes!I stick with more natural furniture. I’m glad no one was hurt in this fire and pray they can recover financially. Hopefully they have better insurance than I do. (guess who had a legitimate claim denied last year by F after paying $70k in premiums).