West Seattle fires 1072 results

2:44 PM: Thanks for the text. Seattle Fire has sent a big dispatch to a possible house fire ~~in High Point~~, in the 3200 block of 31st SW.

2:49 PM: Before we arrived, the call’s been closed, meaning the SFD units have all been sent back. So, nothing major.

4:47 PM: WSB’s Christopher Boffoli reports having caught the description via scanner before this call’s quick closeout: A small fire related to a bird’s nest in or around a chimney/heater outlet.

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Big response, small fire in Arbor Heights

April 7, 2016 1:29 am

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| Arbor Heights | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

If you heard the sirens in the past quarter-hour or so – a “fire in single-family residence” response was sent to a house in the 10600 block of 34th SW [map]. It turned out to be on the porch of a vacant house, according to emergency-radio traffic, and a neighbor put it out, so most of the response has been dismissed.

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UPDATE: Fire call in 1400 block SW Cambridge

March 31, 2016 2:38 pm

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2:38 PM: A large Seattle Fire response is in the 1400 block of SW Cambridge for a “fire in building” call. We’re en route to see what’s happening.

2:45 PM: The call’s just closed, meaning SFD has left the scene. If we find out anything about the original reason, we’ll add it.

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UPDATE: Fire response in South Delridge

March 22, 2016 6:23 am

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(ADDED: WSB photos)

6:23 AM: A Seattle Fire response is arriving at 9421 18th SW, describing a small fire in a rug on a cabinet at this former church site which now houses the Hope Academy school and other facilities.

6:32 AM: The fire is reported to be under control; per scanner (our crew is almost there), firefighters are trying to determine whether its source was electrical.

6:38 AM: We’ve talked to SFD at the scene and they have confirmed it was an electrical fire, now out.

6:50 AM: The damage is minimal, we’re told, confined to a single outlet in the “main sanctuary” area, and shouldn’t affect use of the building. Fire crews are starting to leave.

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UPDATE: Car fire spreads to house

March 16, 2016 7:17 am

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| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, added 8:05 am)

FIRST REPORT, 7:17 AM: What started as an “illegal burn” call a few minutes after 7 is now upgraded to “fire in a building” at 4th and Roxbury. First crews on scene say it’s a “fully involved” car with flames spreading to the adjacent structure.

(Reader photo)

7:25 AM: The photo is via a texter who says this is not having a major effect on traffic so far.

7:31 AM: The fire is reported to be under control. No injuries – firefighters confirm everyone got out OK.

7:37 AM: We’ve just arrived in the area. This is in the residential area off the westbound side of Roxbury/Olson – more like 4th/Cambridge as shown on this map. There are a few SFD vehicles in the outside uphill lane at the curve.

8:03 AM: A closeup look (photo just added atop story) shows the fire spread from the car to the back of the house.

8:21 AM: Firefighters are wrapping up now; the fire’s cause remains under investigation, but SFD tells us that nobody knows whose car it is – it was parked behind the garage but does not belong to anyone in the area, so far as they’ve found.

WEDNESDAY EVENING NOTE: We’re still waiting to hear back from SFD on how the fire started and how much damage was done.

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UPDATE: Fire call in The Arroyos

March 2, 2016 10:14 am

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10:14 AM: Seattle Fire has sent a full response to a possible house fire in The Arroyos, in the 4100 block of Arroyo Drive [map]. The first engines to arrive at the house are not seeing signs of smoke or fire so far. More to come.

10:19 AM: Per scanner, it was a small fire, already out, but they’re still doublechecking. Meantime, many of the units are being dismissed.

10:33 AM: Engine 37 (photo added above) is the last one here and wrapping up to leave.

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UPDATE: House fire call in High Point

February 12, 2016 4:03 pm

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| High Point | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

4:03 PM: Big Seattle Fire callout is heading to a possible house fire in High Point, 5900 block 34th SW.

4:11 PM: We’re at the scene. No flames visible, a little smoke. Firefighters were up on the roof to investigate.

4:22 PM: No injuries. Heating system problem suspected.

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UPDATE: Big response, but turns out to be small fire on 38th SW

January 27, 2016 2:30 pm

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(Added: WSB photo)

2:30 PM: Seattle Fire has sent a big response for a possible house fire near Charlestown/38th SW. Updates to come.

2:33 PM: SFD crews report it’s a “small contents fire” inside the house. They’re handling the aftermath, including ventilation. No injuries reported.

2:40 PM: Our crew is on scene – near the Charlestown water tower – and reports that what caught fire was a piece of foam rubber in the garage. The damage is limited to that foam rubber. The response is winding down.

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VIDEO: Motor home burns in driveway

January 25, 2016 12:00 pm

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| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Mel)
12:00 PM: Thanks to the texter who sent the photo from a car fire that Seattle Fire crews are currently fighting in the 9000 block of 14th SW. It’s a fire with potential exposure to the adjacent house, and that’s why the response is larger. Updates to come.

(Photo courtesy DRW)
12:06 PM: SFD says it was a motor-home fire in a driveway (reader photo added). It’s out, and the cause is under investigation.

12:40 PM: Just went by. The investigator is still on scene. We confirmed that no one was hurt.

4:34 PM: SFD spokesperson Corey Orvold tells WSB the cause hasn’t been determined yet, but damage to the vehicle and its contents totaled $1,200.

ADDED MONDAY NIGHT: We received the clip above via text. We’ll be checking again Tuesday on whether SFD figured out how the fire started.

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UPDATE: Garage fire in 8800 block of 32nd SW

January 3, 2016 2:38 pm

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| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | Westwood

2:38 PM: Seattle Fire has a mid-size response arriving at a reported garage fire in the 8800 block of 32nd SW [map]. Updates to come.

2:44 PM: It’s reported to be in a detached garage on an alley, and under control.

2:50 PM: Firefighters had to break through a door to get into the garage. We don’t know yet what in there was burning. No report of any injuries.

3 PM: One car is in the garage; firefighters have had to ventilate the roof too, and smoke is still coming out.

We don’t know yet how the fire started.

3:18 PM: The response at the scene is beginning to be downsized. Meantime, our crew is back and we’re adding/substituting photos above.

ADDED MONDAY AFTERNOON: We checked today with SFD spokesperson Corey Orvold regarding the cause. She says it was accidental, sparked by fireplace ashes “placed in the garage.”

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UPDATE: ‘Fire in building’ response on Beach Drive

January 2, 2016 12:09 pm

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12:09 PM: Seattle Fire has sent a major “fire in building” response to the 3800 block of Beach Drive SW. Updates to come.

12:15 PM: It’s a four-story multifamily building, and that’s the reason for the big response, but so far, per scanner, no sign of a fire – aside from one in a fireplace (added: Christmas tree was being burned). The response is being downsized.

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VIDEO: 2 boats burn, 2 others damaged, at marina in West Seattle

December 29, 2015 8:43 pm

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| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(UPDATED NOON WEDNESDAY – scroll down)

(Photo courtesy Jim)
8:43 PM: A big Seattle Fire response is on the way to the 1300 block of SW Spokane [map], where a boat is reported to be on fire at an address that crossreferences to Jim Clark Marina. More to come.

8:57 PM: Avoid the area – SFD has even asked for the railroad track to be closed by BNSF.

(This photo and those below are by WSB’s Christopher Boffoli, added 10:28 pm)
They’ve had to lay hundreds of feet of hose to get to the burning boat(s), according to scanner traffic.

9:04 PM: The fire is reported to be under control. No word of any injuries. Our archives show it’s been five years since the last major fire at this marina.

9:18 PM: Media crews at the scene, including ours, are being kept behind a safety line; via the scanner, we’re hearing fire crews dealing with dock-safety issues too, and also a “small” flareup on the boat, which, a marina tenant told our photographer, is a 32-footer. We’re told Seattle Fire’s public-information officer is on the way.

9:36 PM: Two vessels are reported (monitored via scanner) to be “a complete loss.”

9:44 PM: The loss of two boats has just been confirmed at the scene by SFD, in a media briefing. (video added, with SFD spokesperson Corey Orvold)

(WSB video by Patrick Sand)
A third boat was damaged. Investigators are on the way to find out how the fire started; the Coast Guard and EPA also are en route to check on whether there’s been a fuel spill or any other environmental effects.

The dock will remain closed tonight, so other boat owners thinking of coming down to check on their boats won’t be able to reach them.

10:21 PM: SFD has just tweeted that the two boats that burned have sunk and that two others were damaged.

ADDED EARLY WEDNESDAY: More views of the fire and how it was fought, on the Duwamish and on the shore. The two photos below are by Aaron Bocchetti, the video by Michelle Edwards.

No announcement yet of how it started.

WEDNESDAY NOON UPDATE: SFD’s Orvold tells us there’s still no word on the cause: “The fire investigators are working with the marina’s owner to bring the boats to the surface so they can further their investigation. This process could take a while.” We were at the marina around 10:30 am and noticed a USCG helicopter circling to inspect the scene from above.

Checking marina fire aftermath from the sky, @USCGPacificNW pic.twitter.com/MnkYGuKoYU

— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) December 30, 2015

Some damage to the boathouse is visible. See this comment below for more information on one of the damaged boats.

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VIDEO: Fire at Cottage Grove Commons on Delridge sends 1 to hospital with burns; SFD finds dead man in building, apparently not related

December 22, 2015 12:21 pm

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| Delridge | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

12:21 PM: Seattle Fire has sent a big response to a possible fire at Cottage Grove Commons, the DESC-owned supportive-housing building in the 5400 block of Delridge Way SW.

12:26 PM: SFD reports that two people are hurt and that the fire is under control.

12:35 PM: Because of the sizable response, Delridge Way is closed for at least a block, between Brandon and Findlay, as Andrew points out in comments and as confirmed by our crew at the scene.

12:50 PM: If you’re seeing/hearing a helicopter in the area, it’s just TV checking this out.

1:12 PM: SFD has just briefed the media on scene, saying one person has gone to Harborview with serious burns; the fire was limited to a mattress in that person’s apartment on the ~~top~~ second floor and the building’s sprinkler system put it out.

The other injured person did not need hospitalization. The Fire Department also says one person was found dead in a nearby apartment, and apparently had died within the past few hours, but that is not believed to have been related to the fire.

2:10 PM: Delridge had reopened and SFD’s fire investigator was on scene when we passed through about 15 minutes ago. We’ll update when there’s official word on the fire’s cause. Though the flames hadn’t spread beyond the aforementioned mattress, SFD says three units had significant damage because of the water from the sprinkler system.

2:50 PM: We’ve added more photos as well as the unedited video of SFD Lt. Sue Stangl‘s earlier briefing.

4:43 PM: If you are in the area and wondering about a new multi-unit response at the building, the 911 log shows it’s an “automatic fire alarm” response.

ADDED EARLY THURSDAY: The Seattle Times reports that the man hospitalized after this fire has died. The County Medical Examiner’s daily media recording lists the death of the 39-year-old burn victim mentioned in the Times’ report but does not specify a location, so we’ll be verifying later this morning. We had checked with SFD on Wednesday to ask about any official ruling on the fire’s cause; not yet, they told us.

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UPDATE: Seattle Fire response at Arrowhead Gardens

December 7, 2015 4:49 pm

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| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)
4:49 PM: The big response at Arrowhead Gardens in the 9200 block of 2nd SW is for a fire in the trash compactor, according to Seattle Fire. It’s under control, according to the scanner, which also has a mention of “light” smoke in hallways on at least three floors.

5:04 PM: The fire is reported “tapped.” No word of any injuries. Firefighters are working to clear the aforementioned smoke.

5:14 PM: Our crew at the scene says firefighters appear to be ramping down. SFD units are in parking lots on both sides of the building but this isn’t affecting traffic going by on the roads past the complex.

5:24 PM: They’re not sure how this started, but the smoke in the building came in through a window, according to an SFD spokesperson, who verifies that no one was hurt.

They’re still wrapping up the ventilation process.

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UPDATE: Seattle Fire response at The Kenney = electrical problem, no fire

December 7, 2015 9:44 am

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| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(WSB photo)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 9:44 AM: A few minutes after sending a sizable response to The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW; WSB sponsor), Seattle Fire has just canceled all but five of the units. That’s still enough for traffic effects in the area, so keep that in mind for a while. We are on our way to find out what’s happening.

10:02 AM UPDATE: Our crew learned at the scene that this involved an electrical problem. No fire – an outlet shortcircuited. No injuries; everyone’s OK.

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FOLLOWUP: Puget Ridge fire was accidental, ignited by lamp

November 23, 2015 12:47 pm

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| Puget Ridge | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, midday Monday)
Seattle Fire crews are still keeping “fire watch” at the scene of last night’s house fire in the 5200 block of 18th SW on Puget Ridge (WSB coverage here). And SFD spokesperson Lt. Sue Stangl has just sent word of what investigators determined: The fire was accidental.

(WSB photo, midday Monday)
She adds that damage is estimated at “$250,000 loss to structure and $50,000 to contents. A lamp tipped over and ignited some clothing. There was a delay in calling the fire department as the resident tried to extinguish the fire twice.” As SFD reminds in this post on the SFD Fire Line site, please don’t ever wait to call for help:

… A resident used two fire extinguishers to fight the visible flames. When the fire appeared to be extinguished, he left the room. A short time later he returned to find a fully involved room fire. He and his roommates attempted again to put water on the fire but it grew too fast. Once they realized that they couldn’t conquer the rapidly growing fire, they called 9-1-1 and exited the building. Having a fire extinguisher in an accessible location can help keep your home fire safe. The most important step is to immediately call 9-1-1 at the first sign of a fire. Once you know that help is on the way, you can then decide if the fire is small enough to utilize your fire extinguisher. …

You’ll find even more safety information in the Fire Line update.

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UPDATE: 2-alarm house fire on Puget Ridge; 6 people and 1 cat all get out safely, no injuries

November 22, 2015 7:05 pm

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| Puget Ridge | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)

7:05 PM: Seattle Fire is at the scene of a reported house fire in the 5200 block of 18th SW [map] on Puget Ridge. They’ve just called for two more engines and are reporting the fire is visible through the roof of one side of the house.

7:11 PM: Via scanner, it’s being described as a heavily involved attic fire.

(Added: Reader video, via text – thank you!)
7:14 PM: Also via scanner, they’re pulling crews out of the house and declaring it a “defensive fire,” apparently because of danger from a power line – they won’t go back inside until power is shut off.

(Added 7:18 pm: Thanks to Jon for the photo)
7:21 PM: Neighbors tell our crew at the scene that people were home when this started but made it out OK. Flames are still visible.

7:29 PM: Firefighters have gone back into “offensive” mode and report the fire’s “knocked down.” No word of injuries so far. SFD is calling for the Red Cross to come offer help to the residents.

(WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
7:46 PM: SFD spokesperson Lt. Sue Stangl has just briefed media. She says six people were home and all did indeed get out OK, as did their cat (photo above; rescuer was SFD Lt. Kym LeRoy). She said the fire was in the garage, living room, and attic when firefighters arrived, and discussed the electrical-line problems we mentioned earlier. She also confirms, no injuries. We’ll add video of her briefing once we upload it.

8:06 PM: SFD says all six of the people who were displaced are adults. The cause of the fire isn’t known yet – investigators are on scene.

8:53 PM: We’ve added the video of Lt. Stangl’s briefing. She also says via Twitter that “one elderly woman … was carried out of the house by a neighbor.”

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UPDATE: High Point house-fire response downsized – just a kitchen problem

November 11, 2015 5:16 pm

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| High Point | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

5:16 PM: Seattle Fire is headed for the 6500 block of 31st SW in High Point [map] for a possible house fire.

5:19 PM: Fire units on scene confirm it’s a problem in the kitchen, not a fire, so most of the response is being canceled.

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Charges filed against West Seattle serial-arson suspect Jacob Kokko

November 10, 2015 3:46 pm

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| Crime | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(WSB photo: October 31, Senior Center fire)
3:46 PM: Five days after the arrest of 22-year-old Jacob Kokko in connection with the recent arsons in West Seattle, he is officially charged. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Kokko this afternoon with second-degree arson (a Class B felony), second-degree reckless burning (a gross misdemeanor), and third-degree malicious mischief (a gross misdemeanor). The charges specifically call out the two arsons in The Junction early Halloween morning – in dumpsters underneath the Senior Center of West Seattle and alongside the California/Alaska commercial building that houses businesses including Easy Street Records and Twilight Gallery – and a trash-can fire in the 6500 block of 34th SW, near his home, on October 12th.

(WSB photo: October 31, California/Alaska fire)
His bail remains set at $300,000, and he is scheduled to be arraigned (answer the charges) on November 23rd. On first look, the charging papers shine no further light on a motive, aside from Kokko telling detectives he did it because he “needed help.” As our research indicated, he has no apparent criminal history, prosecutors write, but they sought to keep the bail relatively high because “his unhinged behavior causes great concern for the safety of the community.” The Senior Center fire, in particular, could easily have spread to engulf the entire building, it’s pointed out.

Kokko was arrested last Thursday night, shortly after officers served a search warrant at his High Point home, saying they found evidence linking him to the fires. Court documents say someone who knows him recognized him in the surveillance video that shows the bus-stop fire on Morgan south of 35th being set October 12th; he is not charged in connection with that fire, though, nor with the October 18th Sylvan Ridge car arsons, or the October 19th High Point rental-office fire, or the October 21st 40th/Morgan recycling-bin fire.

ADDED 6:01 PM: Aside from the charges themselves, the information in the new documents is the same as what we reported after Kokko’s bail hearing – at which he did not appear – last Friday afternoon. He is said to have admitted to four fires, the three in which he is charged, and the bus-stop box fire which was recorded on video. He also is said to be on surveillance video setting the Senior Center fire, then walking away, and returning, apparently to be sure it was still going. Otherwise, the only other information we’ve learned about him, from separate research, is that he worked at a restaurant – not in West Seattle – and hadn’t lived here more than a few years; court files show that he was the subject of an eviction filing from an apartment on Avalon Way last summer.

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UPDATE: Wall fire at house in Arbor Heights; no one hurt

November 4, 2015 10:29 pm

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10:29 PM: A sizable Seattle Fire response is headed for a house fire reported in the 11200 block of 35th SW [map]. It’s believed to have originated in a gas fireplace. More to come.

10:35 PM: Per scanner, “fireplace started a wall fire.” Everyone is reported to be out safely.

10:55 PM: Our crew is on scene. Some smoke visible, and firefighters working on the wall.

Some of the responding units are being dismissed. We’ve confirmed that no one is hurt.

11:00 PM: The fire has just been declared “tapped.”

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FOLLOWUP: Police circulate surveillance photos in connection with this morning’s arsons, but don’t think they’re linked to recent string

October 31, 2015 4:59 pm

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| Crime | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

Following up on the two dumpster fires covered here early this morning – police have released the two surveillance images above and below:

They want to hear from anyone who recognizes the person in the images, which are clearly from the scene of the fire in a dumpster behind/underneath the Senior Center of West Seattle, along SW Oregon east of California SW.

(WSB reader photo, by Aaron)
The update says witnesses describe the suspect as “a 20-year-old male with a slight build, wearing a red and grey sweatshirt.” The other fire was reported in the same time frame – around 2:30 am – in a dumpster on the alley behind the California/Alaska building where businesses including Easy Street Records are located. As we reported in our early-morning coverage, both fires were put out relatively quickly, and police converged on both scenes.

Police also say they do NOT believe the fires are related to the recent High Point/Morgan arsons but they do want to hear from anyone who thinks they know the person in the photos – please call 911.

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UPDATE: Two dumpster fires, minutes apart, along alleys in West Seattle Junction

October 31, 2015 2:48 am

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| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(1st and 5th photos by WSB’s Katie Meyer)
2:48 AM: Firefighters are on the scene right now of two fires, both described as being in dumpsters, in The Junction, a block and minutes apart. More to come.

(This photo & next two by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
3:04 AM: One is on the alley west of Easy Street Records (photo above this paragraph), the other (top and next photo) in the carport under the Senior Center. Too soon to say if they are related to the recent arsons in High Point and Morgan, but indications are that these were set.

3:33 AM: SFD’s investigator (Marshal 5) is taking a look at the fires first; police are continuing to search the area.

Both fires were reported around 2:30 am.

No building damage reported so far but both of these dumpsters were in positions where that could have happened. This area is about two miles from the most recent arson in the series that police have been investigating – early Wednesday, October 21st, in a recycling bin at 40th and Morgan.

4:35 PM: SPD says they don’t think these arsons are related to the recent string, but they do have a surveillance image. We’re writing a separate update but in the meantime – see the new information/imagery here.

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Fire callout on Beach Drive

October 25, 2015 7:06 pm

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| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

For those who wondered about the multiple-unit fire callout in the 4500 block of Beach Drive SW, just south of Me-Kwa-Mooks Park: We’re at the scene; small fire inside the house, out very quickly, and the units still here are wrapping up; the front of the house is being ventilated with a fan.

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