West Seattle, Washington
03 Sunday
(Texted photo)
3:24 PM: Thanks to everyone who’s texted/emailed about that car fire toward the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge.
(Photo sent by Jackie)
Firefighters have since arrived. At least one passerby noted the driver was on scene. We’re checking on injuries.
(Video sent by Matt)
3:46 PM: A texter says traffic is moving again through that area.
5:45 PM: SFD confirms, no one was hurt.
(Added: Reader photo, posted by Mia in comments)
11:14 AM: SFD has a full response going to what’s described as an attic fire in the 8400 block of 13th SW [near Cloverdale]. First arriving crews report “flames from the roof.”
(WSB photos from here down)
11:22 AM: Everyone inside is reported to have gotten out OK. Firefighters say they’re “making progress on the fire.”
11:28 AM: Firefighters report the fire is under control.
11:40 AM: Our crew at the scene reports it’s now “tapped” (out). SFD confirms no injuries; their investigator is on the way.
WEDNESDAY UPDATE: SFD spokesperson Kaila Lafferty says, “The cause of the fire in the 8500 block of 13th Ave SW was ruled accidental, started as a food-on-stove fire that spread through the kitchen and into the attic of the home.”
(Added: SFD photo)
9:34 PM: A few people have asked about the Seattle Fire response this past hour at Alki Bathhouse – attention-getting because firefighters extended a ladder to check out the roof.
Thanks to David Hutchinson for the photos. And thanks to Brad (via Cami) for the report that firefighters were looking into the possibility a “sky lantern” had landed on the roof. We’re following up with SFD to see if that’s what they found (the call was coded “rubbish fire,” but that’s used to cover a variety of possibilities).
ADDED TUESDAY: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo tells WSB, “Crews responded reports of smoke coming from the roof, so crews extended a ladder to climb up and investigate. No fire was found, and no injuries were reported.”
Seattle Fire is at the scene of a small fire that initially was dispatched around 7:30 pm as a large “full response” but then was almost immediately downsized – Ladder 13 was first on scene and able to deal with it quickly. It’s at a vacant, boarded-up house in the 2200 block of SW Trenton [map], northeast of Westwood Village. The fire’s now out, and SFD’s investigator is on scene (and calling just now for police assistance, so we’ll be following up on that). No injuries reported.
An apartment fire in High Point on Sunday didn’t bring a huge response, so it didn’t hit our radar, but we’ve since learned it has left two people and two cats dealing with the aftermath. Both people work at Neighborhood Naturopathic and Primary Care (WSB sponsor), which has organized a crowdfunding campaign and request for other help:
Dear West Seattle community,
Hanna Oatts (on the left), our newest Neighborhood Naturopathic and Primary Care employee, recently experienced a major apartment fire that destroyed most of her belongings and has left her and her sweet kitties, Dillinger (16) & Bubba (12), without a home. The fire occurred while good friend Stina Borst (on the right, also an employee of NN!) was catsitting, resulting in a loss of many of her belongings as well. Both humans and kitties are safe and unharmed (but exhausted) and need your support.
Please consider donating what you can via our GoFundMe campaign on their behalf.
Do you, or someone you know, have resources to provide access to any of the following
-Temporary housing
-Kitty fostering
-Possibly, a more permanent long-term lease in the West Seattle, White Center, Burien areas (studio or 1 bedroom apartment preferred)
-Legal assistance, support navigating tenants rights in WA stateIf so, please email hello@neighborhood-naturopathic.com
Thank you for your assistance,
Neighborhood Naturopathic and Primary Care team
7:58 AM: Seattle Fire crews are at Maris, 4722 Fauntleroy Way SW [map], for a reported apartment fire. It’s already under control.
(Added: Reader photo, sent by Tony)
8:03 AM: SFD reports the fire’s out. The unit above the one where the fire happened was affected by smoke, so they’re ventilating.
8:10 AM: SPD reports Fauntleroy is currently blocked both ways at the scene, “probably for another 15 minutes,” though SFD is starting to reduce the response.
(Added: WSB photo)
8:13 AM: SFD tells our crew at the scene that this was a kitchen fire and no one was hurt.
8:58 PM: Tony, who sent the first photo, reports that people have been allowed back into Maris. And police have just told dispatch that all lanes of Fauntleroy Way are open again.
9:02 AM: Seattle Fire is headed to a house in the 1700 block of SW Cloverdale [vicinity map], for a report of smoke coming from the eaves. Dispatch reports the two people who were at home report they’re safely out of the house. Updates to come.
9:06 AM: Firefighters tell dispatch they are seeing smoke from the roof and front door.
9:09 AM: They’re reporting they have “water on the fire.”
9:18 AM: They’ve made enough progress that they’re going to start dismissing some of the crews.
9:21 PM: Added photos from our crew, who reports the smoke has dissipated. SFD says it’s ventilating. They’ll be investigating the fire’s cause.
9:30 PM: Our crew has confirmed no one was hurt and that the SFD investigator is on the way. (We’ll add whatever they determine, when that info is available.)
ADDED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: SFD spokesperson Kaila Lafferty tells WSB, “Investigators ruled the fire as an accidental food on stove fire that spread to cabinets.”
12:08 PM: What was briefly a Seattle Fire “full response” in Admiral a short time ago was quickly downsized. Crews arriving at the scene in the 2700 block of 45th SW [vicinity map] cited a suspected electrical fire, and subsequent information from dispatch says it’s believed to be a solar-panel problem.
12:16 PM: Firefighters report the fire is out. One crew reports that a “bundle of leaves” appears to be what ignited.
11:27 PM: Seattle Fire has a full response on the way to a possible apartment fire in the 3000 block of 60th SW. [vicinity map] Updates to come.
11:30 PM: Firefighters say it appears to have been a small fire extinguished “by occupant,” and they’re downsizing the response.
(WSB photo, Monday)
Back on Monday, we reported on a fire that damaged three buildings at Full Gospel Pentecostal Federated Church in North Delridge. The next day, as we noted in an update at the end of the original report, SFD announced the fire was accidental. Readers have asked how to help the church recover; today, District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka‘s newest newsletter has suggestions. He writes:
… Church leadership are looking at the availability for an alternative site for their Sunday service and they will be issuing community notifications soon. The leadership shared: “Our greatest joy would be to see the community of supporters in person and their best donation is the time taken in human fellowship.”
Monetary donations can be sent electronically to the Church’s Cash App log-in: #FullGospel5071, or Zelle, log in fgpfcf@gmail.com. Checks may be mailed to: Full Gospel Pentecostal Federated Church, c/o P.O. Box 232 Renton, WA 98057.
{Note: Other types of donations are welcomed, but the capacity to store them is currently very limited at this time.}
No one was injured by the fire. We spoke at the scene with someone from the church who told us it hit doubly hard because they were already grieving, having just hosted a memorial service two days earlier for a longtime member.
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.”
3:12 PM: Seattle Fire has two incidents going right now – including a possible fire in a building in the 6700 block of 25th SW. Updates to come.
3:16 PM: Arriving SFD crews say this “appears to be someone grilling in the backyard” and they’ve canceled all but one unit.
A texter sent that photo today of charred driftwood at Weather Watch Park, to which the fire-call log indicates SFD was summoned multiple times on Sunday. The first was for this (thanks to John-Michael for the early-morning photo):
The subsequent calls were from people concerned that the burned logs were still smoldering, SFD says; the texter says that was still continuing at sunset. This comes a month after a fire burned driftwood “forts” at Lowman Beach, also very early in the morning. So far, though, SFD’s investigator hasn’t been brought into it.
9:04 AM: Seattle Fire has sent a full response to what they’re reporting as a “fire in a vacant house” on 18th SW near Thistle.
9:07 AM: Arriving crews confirm it’s a “working fire.”
9:11 AM: Radio traffic indicates this house was on SFD’s radar even before this, as they’re describing it as a “derelict building” and saying the house is a “no-entry zone.” They have water on the fire from “a safe distance away from the building.”
9:14 AM: Now firefighters are going in.
9:17 AM: Our crew has arrived; adding photos. Fire is reported under control and SFD says no one’s hurt.
9:21 AM: Neighbors tell us this house has been vacant for quite a while, and that squatters are often seen coming and going.
9:32 AM: The house’s owner is on scene too and says he’s been trying to keep it locked up. Meantime, SFD has the fire out in the basement but is still working on other areas of the house.
9:43 AM: Firefighters are starting to wrap up the response (which is a gradual process).
ADDED MONDAY: So far, investigators are ruling the cause of the fire “undetermined.”
4:18 PM: Thanks for the tip! A midsize Seattle Fire callout is on scene in the 9200 block of 14th SW. Texter reports, “Fire Dept callout on 14th is a fire on the back deck. Fire escaped the grill and caught deck and nearby tree on fire.”
5:05 PM: The call is closed. We’ll follow up with SFD.
5:30 PM: Thanks to the texter who sent the photo. SFD is on scene right now, responding to that vehicle fire in the 2900 block of (corrected) Walnut. They put it out quickly, we’re told – here’s another photo:
We’re checking on injuries.
6:19 PM: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo says no one was hurt. Their investigator was not sent, so it apparently was not suspicious in orgin.
(Sunday photo courtesy Brandon Sparks)
Sometime last weekend, before Sunday’s Junction FC match, people setting off fireworks did damage to the synthetic turf at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex. The field was cleared for play, but Seattle Public Schools had to fix the damage. We inquired with the district Monday morning about the damage and the repair plan, and finally received a reply this afternoon:
Seattle Public Schools aimed to prevent issues like this by activating the LED field lights (low-energy bulbs) from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. from July 3 through July 7. Despite these efforts, turf damage still occurred. Repairs to the synthetic turf at the Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex were completed on July 8. This damage did not require us to close the field or cancel events.
Our security department welcomes any tips regarding the damage. If you have information, please contact 206-252-0707.
The field is used by private groups as well as area schools. Junction FC, meantime, has the final home matches of its season on Friday and Sunday (we’ll have more on that tonight).
(Texted photo: Smoke as seen looking south from Metro bus)
4:51 PM: Thanks for the tips. If you’re seeing the smoke, SFD is arriving at what’s described as a brush fire near 1st Avenue S./East Marginal Way S. and firefighters have just told dispatch they have to block the northbound 1st Avenue S. Bridge.
(Texted photo: Smoke as seen looking northeast from Westwood)
5:03 PM: Firefighters have reported “live wires down across Marginal Way.” They’re bringing in more units to deal with this. They’re also depending on Seattle City Light to de-energize the lines.
5:13 PM: Screengrab from the East Marginal/Michigan SDOT camera a moment ago:
5:41 PM: As noted in comments, the downed wires/poles in the area have taken out power to 500+ customers, and some traffic signals – the pink areas comprise the outage zone, as shown on the Seattle City Light map:
5:48 PM: They’ve just declared that after more than an hour, the fire is under control. … Moments later, dispatch reported a call about a live wire under the bridge near Front St., so again, take great care anywhere in that area while this is still a working incident.
6:18 PM: Here’s how SFD summarizes the fire via X/Twitter: “A brush fire that extended to an RV, several semi-trucks and at least two utility poles.”
6:49 PM: Not out yet.
7:41 PM: Northbound 99 still blocked at north end of 1st Avenue S. Bridge.
8:34 PM: SFD says firefighters will likely remain at the scene for hours to come. The department’s Fireline website has more info on the firefight to this point.
2:33 AM: Road closure still in effect.
(WSB photo, Sunday morning)
Early Sunday, we reported on a house fire in Westwood. Everyone got out OK, no injuries. SFD’s investigator has determined the cause, according to spokesperson Kaila Lafferty: “Investigators determined the cause of the fire was accidental, started by charcoal briquettes that fell from a barbecue and ignited the deck. The fire then spread to the back of the house and into the attic.”
(Texted photo, smoke as seen from Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex)
2:08 PM: If you’re seeing smoke – Seattle Fire units is headed to the hillside west of Home Depot, south of Sylvan Way, to check out what was initially reported as a “brush fire” but might involve an encampment.
2:13 PM: Fire command is calling for crews to run another hundred feet of hose because “this is pretty deep into the woods.”
(WSB photo)
2:28 PM: Too far into the woods for us to get a firsthand look, but firefighters’ initial assessment was that the fire covered an area roughly 25′ x 20′.
2:42 PM: Incident commander on scene confirmed to us that no one was hurt and that the fire was in the area of an encampment.
3:12 PM: Firefighters have just declared the fire “tapped” (out) and are wrapping up.
3:07 AM: Firefighters are arriving at a building fire reported in the 9000 block of 30th [vicinity map]. Updates to come.
(WSB photo)
3:12 AM: The building is a house. No report of injuries so far. This is about a block west of Westwood Village.
3:18 AM: The fire is reported to be under control.
3:25 AM: And now SFD reports the fire is out. Our crew at the scene is trying to confirm the status of any occupants. SFD said via X/Twitter that the “seat” of the fire was in the basement.
3:46 AM: SFD tells us the residents were at home and got out safely, confirming that no one is hurt. SFD’s investigator will determine what started the fire.
ADDED SUNDAY AFTERNOON: SFD tells us they’re not expecting to have info to release on the fire’s cause before Monday. Meantime, if you’re wondering about a tree/brush fire not far away and not long before this, we asked, but SFD spokesperson Kaila Lafferty tells us, “There is nothing in either report to indicate that the brush fire was related to the house fire.”
12:35 AM: Thanks to the texter who sent that photo of a fire on the West Seattle Stadium/Golf Course grounds. Looked big enough that it even caught a police officer’s attention from a block or so today, but SFD is on scene now and report it’s a single tree. No word how it started, but scattered fireworks usage is still happening around here and the rest of the city, dispatches indicate.
1:12 AM: The call closed a few minutes ago.
(WSB photos)
“Somebody set fire to the forts,” a little girl informed us as we photographed the blackened driftwood on the shore at Lowman Beach Park. We went there after multiple tips about fires there this morning; those aren’t allowed anywhere at this park.
The SFD log shows two calls, one at about 4:50 am, one at about 7:50 am, both categorized as “brush fire” although we didn’t see any sign of burned vegetation (SFD’s automated log has a limited number of classifications). We did see extensive driftwood damage; impossible to tell if any was from prior dates. The little girl’s mom warned her to “avoid the charcoal – the burned part.” Lowman Beach’s north side was restored to a more natural state in a project completed two years ago.
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