UPDATE: Mystery drum leads to hazmat response at Fire Station 37 in West Seattle

(Added: Screenshot from SDOT traffic cam at 35th/Holden, showing responders outside Station 37)

3:01 PM: A “hazardous materials response” is happening right now at Seattle Fire Station 37 (35th/Holden). So far, according to radio exchanges, they’re reportedly dealing with a leaky 55-gallon drum of an “unknown substance,” in the alley behind the station. Police are being brought in for traffic control, so avoid the area for now. Updates as we hear them.

3:05 PM: Officers just told dispatch they’ll be blocking the east side of 35th/Holden, which is right in front of the fire station.

4:18 PM: No updates but it’s still an active incident.

4:31 PM: SFD just announced that they’ve determined the drum did NOT contain a hazardous substance, so the response is ending.

7:49 PM: We followed up on two questions with SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo. His replies: “The 55-gallon drum likely contained unfiltered water. How it ended up there is under investigation.”

Pixie July 30, 2025 (4:30 pm)

Still blocked at 35 th as of 4:20. Came up Holden to 32 nd. You will need to turn on n 34 th.

Dr Wu July 30, 2025 (9:14 pm)

Sometimes a leaky drum is just a leaky drum. Nothing more nothing less.

Disappointment July 30, 2025 (10:33 pm)

And here I was hoping this would be a post about a garage band with a mysteriously funky percussionist.

wetone July 31, 2025 (9:55 am)

Seems to be a lot of mysterious dumping going on around here lately. We’re about six blocks west of junction off Alaska st. Had a trailer full of junk dropped off in our alley Monday morning at 0215am. Guy tied rope around power pole to his pile of junk loaded on trailer and yanked it off. Leaving mess blocking ingress/egress of alley. City says it could take up to 10 days or longer? to get cleaned up. Need to start holding people accountable for actions…….. and city needs to get these type of issues cleaned up quickly before it creates more problems. I want some results for the taxes we pay……..

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