From the ‘fireworks, not gunshots’ file …

We received a few texts – and 911 got some calls – from people who thought they heard gunshots a short time ago, not realizing the Seahawks were playing tonight, so we’re noting those were fireworks after the 13-3 win over the 49ers.

22 Replies to "From the 'fireworks, not gunshots' file ..."

  • West Seattle Mad Sci Guy January 3, 2026 (10:07 pm)

    The game was in Santa Clara, CA though? I take it these were amateur fireworks? Or did CenturyLink (ahem Lumen, almost didn’t notice this error) fire some off despite the game being remote 

    • WSB January 3, 2026 (10:16 pm)

      Yes, they were fan fireworks.

  • Tired of this January 3, 2026 (10:40 pm)

    Why in the world aren’t we prosecuting these people? Explosives shouldn’t be shot off in our dense neighborhoods. 

    • Fireworks are Illegal January 4, 2026 (7:17 am)

      I agree! People do not seem to understand how dangerous fireworks can be. They are also incredibly upsetting for veterans and animals. Time to start prosecuting these criminals. 

    • West Seattlite January 4, 2026 (3:17 pm)

      A lot of complaining about some loud noises at 8pm that lasted about a hour. Seattle has a huge number of problems, you really think SPD should be focused on sports celebrations? 

    • SoLongDelridge January 4, 2026 (3:20 pm)

      Dense, very funny.

  • Rhonda January 3, 2026 (11:19 pm)

    I was at Westwood Village and there were huge fireworks in every direction. I didn’t know what they were about until someone told me that the Seahawks had a game and that they won.

  • I love community pride January 4, 2026 (12:53 am)

    Well, you need to roll with some well intended exuberance in a city like Seattle sometimes and I hope we can celebrate the Kraken this way soon, too. Heck, the Torrent, the Mariners, the Storm, there’s LOTS of fireworks we’d love to blow off for these teams, so bring it!

    • Rae January 4, 2026 (2:07 am)

      I volunteer to celebrate all Seattle Teams. 

    • Fireworks are illegal January 4, 2026 (6:15 am)

      Just a reminder, amateur fireworks are dangerous and illegal. They scare animals and they seriously upset veterans with PTSD. There are better and legal ways to show pride in your community. 

    • Amy January 4, 2026 (12:15 pm)

      I love it when people tell me what I need to do to show pride in my community. I love all our sports, but I also love my neighbors, pets, and wildlife. 

  • anonyme January 4, 2026 (5:54 am)

    There are a lot of ways to celebrate without explosives.  Why anyone thinks this stupid and dangerous activity is OK is beyond me.  I can only guess that they enjoy the vibrations the fireworks set off inside their empty craniums.

  • Scarlett January 4, 2026 (7:08 am)

    Never lived in a city so obsessed – “possessed” – with sports. It’s everywhere and inescapable. 

    • WSB January 4, 2026 (1:03 pm)

      Fireworks aside, things seem actually pretty mild around here compared to, for example, any Colorado town and Bronco-mania (source: late husband=Colorado native, and I lived there for a bit, with my other prior cities including L.A., San Diego, Sacramento suburb Davis, Las Vegas, Honolulu) … It’s grown in the three decades since we got here, though. And some fan interest has ebbed over the years … my first job was at KOMO (then still family-owned) and anchors Kathi Goertzen (WSU alum) and Steve Pool (UW alum) – RIP to both – would outdo each other with Apple Cup-related stunts … TR

    • West Seattlite January 4, 2026 (3:15 pm)

      Very clear you haven’t lived very many places if you have this opinion 

      • Scarlett January 4, 2026 (7:10 pm)

        I’ve probably lived in more places than you and have never seen it invade every aspect of life as I have here.  It’s suffocating and provincial especially when everyone expects you to be a fan of the local team.  

        • k January 4, 2026 (7:57 pm)

          Yeah, I’m with West Seattlite here, lol.  Seattle is far from a sports town.  FAR from it.  You’re not the only transplant here, and it’s presumptuous to assume you’ve lived more places that the person you’re replying to, who is a stranger you know nothing about.  There are definitely cities that go HARD for their local teams (even college teams) in a way Seattle could only dream of.  Not sure how you’ve missed the sports town experience so badly, having lived so many places as you claim, but it is absolutely laughable to claim that Seattle’s fandom is exceptional.  

          • Scarlett January 5, 2026 (2:52 pm)

            I’ve lived in all the major West Coast cities and yeah, Seattle eclipses them all with the small town all hopes ride on the success of the high school football team thing.  Not to mention alone the rabid, berserker fans of Lumen Field or the team logo illuminated on a downtown building.  You should get out more, K.  

          • Little One January 5, 2026 (10:40 pm)

            We do things differently on the west coast than the midwest, south, and east coast. Those other places go NUTS over sports. Maybe not backyard fireworks nuts…but still NUTS.

    • Rhonda January 4, 2026 (7:28 pm)

      Scarlett, I hate sports deeply, but what’s wrong with people being enthusiastic about them? I also don’t like coffee but it’s fun watching so many adults gleeful like children over Starbucks and Seattle’s Best Coffee. To each their own.

  • Alki resident January 4, 2026 (7:48 am)

    I always know when my neighborhood blows up, the Seahawks won. I’m happy for the enthusiasm our fans have for our teams here..

  • WS Troll January 11, 2026 (4:13 pm)

    Maybe ICE would be better employed setting up road blocks at the borders of reservations and arresting people bringing fireworks out of the reservation.     Celebrate sports, drink beer, have a loud party.  But if you can contain every spark and every shred of detritus from the illegal fireworks you set off, you are a terrible neighbor and you should be arrested.  

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