WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Four portable toilets burned at Alki

(Photo provided by Jake W.)

Lots of questions this morning about that fire on Alki overnight. Four portable toilets that had been brought in before the Canoe Journey arrivals burned at about 1 am. Archived police radio indicates SFD asked for SPD response because witnesses said “the suspect was still on scene.” What happened from there, we don’t know yet; we’re still trying to confirm whether the suspect was detained. We asked SFD for information and they said only that the fire was extinguished – categorized as a “rubbish fire” – and that no one was hurt; their investigator was not dispatched. Another reader photo of the aftermath:

Another texter tells us a recycling can and trash can burned too, and adds, “As of 8:30 this morning, the city had caution tape wrapped around the area and (was) taking photos.”

19 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Four portable toilets burned at Alki"

  • sam July 31, 2026 (12:23 pm)

    can’t these kids take up a more useful hobby like welding or ceramics instead of literal arson…

    • Alki resident July 31, 2026 (10:54 pm)

      Who said this was kids? Adults do plenty of stupid stuff. 

    • Alkimom August 1, 2026 (1:56 am)

      Don’t always assume it’s kids who started the fire, because sometimes it’s an adult who has mental issues or is just an idiot  Believe me there’s plenty of adults who are immature and are idiots in our world believe me I have worked with plenty of them in my life

  • Joan July 31, 2026 (1:00 pm)

    So sad that we can’t as a society provide for basic human needs. I believe it’s easier in Europe to find  a public toilet, though, I have not been there in decades!

    • Westwood July 31, 2026 (4:48 pm)

      Might be easier to find but often aren’t free to use.

  • jsparra July 31, 2026 (1:22 pm)

    cameras! cameras! or boots on the ground, pick one. No punishment, free to destruct.

  • anonyme July 31, 2026 (1:42 pm)

    But let’s definitely not allow cameras down there…

    • k July 31, 2026 (6:21 pm)

      What would that have accomplished?  There were witnesses, and the guy was still there when police were called.  This wasn’t done anonymously with no one watching.  

  • WS worker July 31, 2026 (2:19 pm)

    Are the chemicals in those toilets toxic?  I worry about that stuff running into the water system and the Sound. 

  • Just wondering July 31, 2026 (2:29 pm)

    What did the portable toilets do to deserve this ?!?

  • onion July 31, 2026 (2:32 pm)

    A genuine moron’s idea of a good time.

  • CarDriver July 31, 2026 (3:25 pm)

    Joan. There already are 3 restrooms at that end of Alki Ave. Having been to several European countries in recent years rest assured there are NOT any “easy to find” restrooms.

    • Mike July 31, 2026 (3:39 pm)

      Paris, the only public restroom is Starbucks 

  • Marcus July 31, 2026 (4:06 pm)

    Arson plain and simple. Anyone for live cameras the length of Alki? 

  • Justin July 31, 2026 (4:53 pm)

    I have not been to Europe recently but I traveled through mainland China in 1982 and the public  toilets were plentiful, or at least they were then.

  • Honey Bucket July 31, 2026 (8:11 pm)

    I walked through Alki this evening and it seemed like it was cleaned up nicer than when the portable toilet in the Junction was burnt.Almost six years later, apparently the city is still deciding lololhttps://westseattleblog.com/2020/11/followup-city-still-deciding-whats-next-after-west-seattle-junction-portable-toilet-fire/

  • Joe August 1, 2026 (2:39 am)

    We saw atleast one burned along  a Delridge construction sites. 

  • Runner August 1, 2026 (6:35 am)

    Yes to cameras, a regular presence of the City Park Officers and the Police please. 

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published.