(WSB photo, December 9)

1:07 PM: Five weeks after fire ravaged Camp Long‘s historic lodge, we checked in again today with Seattle Parks for an update on the status of decisionmaking regarding its future. This time, spokesperson Rachel Schulkin had a major update for us:

We are optimistic that we will be able to restore and retain the lodge building. However, the full extent of the damage is still unknown. Because the stairs were destroyed, for example, we haven’t been able to access and assess the second floor. As we gain more access to the building and begin the stabilization work, we will learn more about the damage and restoration needs. Our team will assess the damage and develop options with cost estimates for restoration or other alternatives. We plan to have a preliminary scope and estimate by the end of Quarter 1, 2025. Given the time associated with design, permitting and public works, construction would likely take place in 2027 or 2028.

The stabilization work is focused on maintaining the lodge structure and preventing any further damage until a long-term project can be scoped, designed, and completed. The scope of the stabilization work will include selective demolition of the damaged parts of roof, assessment and shoring of walls that need support, carting-out of debris, and ventilating the building to dry it out. The stabilization work will also provide an opportunity for our team to better understand the extent of the damage caused by the fire.

We aim to begin stabilization work as soon as possible. It will likely begin before the end of 2024 and go well into the first half of 2025.

To date we have:
• Hired a contractor to board up windows and tarp over open holes in the roof of the lodge and damaged cabins;
• Documented the damage to structures, met with insurance representatives and initiated an insurance claim;
• Replaced the windows to one of the damaged cabins;
• Began working with an architect to outline a scope of stabilization work to the lodge; and
• Initiated an Emergency Public Works process to hire a contractor to perform stabilization work.

The park is currently open for use, and there are port-a-potties on site. We are working on a plan to see if we can still offer environmental education programs without the use of the building. Start date on programs is still TBD.

Investigators ruled the November 11 fire arson; we’re checking with SPD for updates on the investigation.

6:10 PM: While interviewing District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka on a variety of topics late today as his first year in office comes to a close (story to come), we asked about this. He told us he “look(s) forward to supporting” the restoration/rebuild.

(WSB photo, last Saturday)

Just announced by Seattle Parks, two weeks and two days after flames blamed on an arsonist tore through the Camp Long lodge, the park reopens today:

oday, Wednesday, November 27, Camp Long reopens to the public. The lodge remains closed & fenced off but the park is open. The bathrooms are currently offline because their waterline is connected to the lodge, & there are porta-a-potties on site. The park hours are Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 am-6 pm.

We’re continuing to check with Parks about decisions regarding the lodge’s future. Damage to the lodge and two cabins vandalized the same night was estimated at $1.2 million.

Tomorrow marks two weeks since arson gutted the lodge at West Seattle’s Camp Long. We’re checking in periodically with Seattle Parks as they decide what to do about the lodge and two cabins that were all damaged that night. (The park has remained closed too.) Most recent statement was this response to our inquiry, from Parks spokesperson Rachel Schulkin: “We are still working through a lot of questions with insurance and building inspectors and so on before we make any decisions. The park is still closed as we work to secure the building. Once the building is secured, we will reopen the park to the public.” Our photo (taken through the closed gate) is from Saturday; no work crews or others in sight at the time. Meantime, a reminder that park staff are seeking public help in recreating Camp Long’s catalogue of history – here’s how you can be part of that.

(Monday night photo by Kerry Antezana)

2:57 PM: Three days after a deliberately set fire gutted the historic lodge at Camp Long, Seattle Parks is still working to determine its future. Parks spokesperson Rachel Schulkin had told us they hoped to have more to say later in the week, so we checked back, also asking about the park’s status overall. Here’s the response:

Currently the department is assessing the damage of the main building at Camp Long. After this assessment we will be able to determine next steps.

The park continues to be closed but we hope to reopen it soon as soon as we can secure the building.

Programming is currently cancelled and we hope to resume in the coming week.

Parks said on Tuesday that damage from the fire is estimated at $1.2 million; two of the park’s rustic cabins were vandalized the same night. Investigators found shattered glass and blood droplets; no new information about the investigation so far.

The lodge went through a million-dollar renovation back in 2010.

ADDED 3:50 PM: We also followed up with District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka‘s office. Chief of staff Elaine Ikoma Ko tells WSB they’ve been talking to both SPD and Parks and “We let them know that we stand prepared to support next steps. So we are waiting and monitoring this closely.”

(WSB photo)

2:16 PM: Seattle Parks crews have spent the morning boarding up the windows and doors at Camp Long‘s fire-ravaged lodge. As reported here last night, the fire was reported around 8 pm Monday; no one was hurt, but it’s clear that major damage was done. Seattle Fire spokesperson Kaila Lafferty tells WSB that the fire remains under investigation; this post on SFD’s Fire Line site details how firefighters battled the flames. As for the lodge’s fate, we asked Parks, and spokesperson Rachel Schulkin responded with this statement that reveals the lodge wasn’t the only building affected:

Last night our beloved and historic Camp Long building, along with two other cabins on site, were vandalized and caught fire. We are still actively assessing the situation at Camp Long and currently do not have any information on the future of this facility. We hope to have more information by the end of tomorrow.

(Added: The entire park is closed today.)

Camp Long falls under the designation of what the city calls an Environmental Learning Center; commenters have noted that the proposed city budget calls for cuts to the department’s environmental-education program, and a proposal to move it under a “public/private partnership.” Supporters of the program were already planning to testify at tonight’s 5 pm budget hearing. (Here’s the online petition they’re circulating.) Meantime, people continue arriving at the park’s entrance to gaze sadly at the charred, boarded-up lodge; the word “heartbreaking” was heard over and over again. Many are there in honor of memories made at the lodge. One person who briefly spoke with us said there’s an apartment on the lodge’s second floor in which they lived many years ago.

4:09 PM: SFD has just announced that investigators ruled the fire “intentionally set” and have “shared their findings with police.” Damage is estimated at $1.2 million.

4:25 PM: Added information from a summary released by SPD after their investigator talked with SFD’s investigator:

(SFD’s investigator) informed me he believed the fire was arson. He explained to me there were multiple glass windows broken behind the building, which he believes could have been a forced point of entry. He stated he did not know what was used to start the fire, but believed the fire started inside the North stairwell.

He informed me there were two cabins on the property that appeared to have been broken into. He said one of the cabins had glass shattered across the ground and there were blood droplets inside and outside the cabin. He stated there were no indication that any property was stolen from the lodge or cabins.
.
I then contacted a Seattle Parks and Recreation Branch Manager who walked me around the property and pointed out the damage done to the lodge. I observed a broken glass door on the north end of the lodge and multiple broken windows on the west side of the lodge’s basement. All could have been possible entry points of the suspects.

(The manager) then walked me to the two cabins that were broken into. The first cabin was cabin 6 (Glacier). I immediately noticed a shattered window, with glass dispersed across the ground inside and outside of the cabin. I observed what appeared to be a blood trail that started on the front steps of the cabin entrance and tracked inside the cabin.

(The manager) showed me Cabin 4 which appeared to have had its Plexiglas window pushed out of its frame and onto the floor. I confirmed with (the manager) that there was no other vandalism done to the property, and there was no property stolen.

They’ve sent samples of the blood in for testing.

(Added: Reader photo by Trevor)

8:06 PM: Seattle Fire has dispatched a “full response” to 5200 35th SW, which is the address for Camp Long. “Multiple calls on a structure on fire” at the park, per the dispatch.

8:08 PM: First units on scene report this is a “working fire.” They’re calling for more engines. They’re describing the burning building as a “single-family residence with basement.”

8:16 PM: They report the fire is “partly knocked down.” They’re also reporting broken windows on at least one level. We don’t yet know if this is the park’s historic lodge. We have WSB team members on the way. Note police are blocking 35th in the area.

(Reader photo by Kevin Freitas)

8:22 PM: The building is too dangerous for firefighters to be in, so they’re getting out. A nearby neighbor confirms the lodge is what’s on fire.

(Added: Photo by Sharonn Meeks)

8:33 PM: The lodge is more than 80 years old, constructed from wood and stone, rented out for events as well as used for park programs. Fire’s not out yet.

8:48 PM: Those in the area say even in the rain, you can smell smoke for blocks around. Firefighters have been on scene battling the fire for 40 minutes now.

(Reader photo sent by Kacie)

9:05 PM: Southbound 35th is reopening. Some of the units on scene are being dismissed.

9:16 PM: SFD says the fire’s out and under investigation. No injuries reported. The lodge was renovated in 2010. We’ll check with Parks tomorrow, and go to the scene, to find out about the extent of the damage.

9:40 PM: More reader views of what happened during the peak of the firefight – the first video was linked in a comment by Tony:

Kerry Antezana shows us the role one firefighter played:

Kerry also sent this view:

10:25 PM: A few firefighters remain at the scene on “fire watch”:

(Photo by Cindi Barker)

8:20 AM: Here’s our first look at the lodge in daylight:

(Reader photo by Kevin Freitas)