West Seattle, Washington

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WS breaking news 1201 results

UPDATE: Big response, small fire in The Junction
January 29, 2023 9:40 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

9:40 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a “full response” to California/Edmunds. The report is: flames in alley, but “they’re not sure what’s on fire.” It’s on the alley east of California, west of 42nd, and reported to be in a basement, in a building described as “just behind US Bank.” Updates to come.

9:45 PM: They’re reducing the response. Apparently not a large fire. We’re on our way to find out exactly which building.

9:54 PM: Fire declared “tapped” (out). No injuries reported. SFD describes it as an exterior fire.

9:59 PM: The fire was on the back side of the Performing Arts building per the tweeted photo above.

10:04 PM: Our photographer has talked to firefighters who say it was trash burning in a dumpster.

(WSB photo)

No building damage reported. (Added) For more location context, here’s a wider shot texted to us:

That’s the US Bank lot in the left foreground, and in the semi-distance at upper right, the Edmunds/California 7-11.

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About the emergency response at Summit Atlas
January 20, 2023 4:08 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS breaking news

4:08 PM: Thanks for the tips about an SPD/SFD response at Summit Atlas, the charter middle/high school at 35th/Roxbury. We went over to check. Police were about to leave and told us that it was only a medical response and in the end, they weren’t needed. Tweets By Beat classifies the initial call as a possible overdose. We’re checking further with SFD, as the crew on scene was busy, so we don’t know yet whether a student was involved; a medic unit was originally dispatched (along with Ladder 13, which is what you see in our photo) but was dismissed within a few minutes of arrival.

4:14 PM: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo says their crew treated a 17-year-old girl who was taken to Children’s Hospital by private ambulance. She was in stable condition when transported.

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UPDATE: Short-lived ‘rescue extrication’ response for crash in 4900 block Erskine Way
January 9, 2023 12:44 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

12:44 PM: Seattle Fire has a “rescue extrication” response arriving for a crash in the 4900 block of Erskine Way [map]. Updates to come.

12:48 PM: First crews on scene say it’s two vehicles, one person possibly hurt but nobody trapped, so they’re downsizing the response.

1 PM: Photo added from our crew at the scene. Police tell us the red truck, parked, was hit by the driver of the other vehicle. No injuries.

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UPDATE: 35th SW reopens south of Avalon after 10-hour fallen-tree closure
January 4, 2023 5:06 pm
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts | WS breaking news

5:06 PM: What one responder described to dispatch as “a very large tree” has fallen on 35th near Avalon.

5:11 PM: Thanks to everyone who’s sent photos. 35th is closed between Avalon and Alaska because of this. Above and below are texted photos:

5:16 PM: That photo shows the location clearly – just south of the bus stop on northbound 35th. Note there’s at least one utility pole caught up in this, and responders have just warned that the railing behind the stop “might be electrified.” Also, Metro has just sent an advisory that this situation will affect C Line and Routes 21, 50, 55, and 773 (Water Taxi shuttle).

5:41 PM: That’s our crew’s view from the other side of the tree blockage. No reports of injuries. Two buses got stuck behind the tree – one marked 21, one marked “to terminal” – and they’re trying to get them out by backing up. The tree’s indeed affecting some poles/lines, but no outage is reported. Meantime, our crew also reports that traffic is snarled in the Y vicinity and elsewhere just west of 35th. If you’re headed eastbound on Alaska, you can turn to southbound 35th from there, but not northbound.

6:09 PM: No estimate on reopening.

7:54 PM: Still closed. A traffic camera is pointing southward toward the closed/blocked stretch of 35th:

8:53 PM: The SDOT camera shows activity around the tree, but otherwise the road remains closed to traffic.

9:40 PM: More crews are arriving and the tree is brightly illuminated. We’ll continue watching for progress. … A nearby resident reports hearing chainsaw activity.

10:09 PM: Two angles from people who have a view from the west side of 35th, as removal continues:

That pic is from a texter who described the tree as “monstrous” – the photo is from after at least a third of it was gone. Also, Katherine sent this video, so you can hear the operation:

11:53 PM: The tree appears to be gone but crews continue with utility work.

1:10 AM: That’s continuing, Here’s a ground-level photo that Matty contributed in the comment section:

3 AM: After 10 hours, 35th SW has just reopened – the utility crews are leaving; the signs, cones, and tapes have been removed. We’ll be following up later today on plans for ensuring there aren’t any other trees in that roadside stand in danger of falling.

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UPDATE: Water-rescue response at Seacrest – false alarm
January 4, 2023 2:48 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

2:48 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a water-rescue response by land and sea to Seacrest, to look into a report of people who are possibly in distress about 300 yards out. Updates to come.

2:51 PM: So far, all they’re seeing is divers – but they’re checking to be sure the divers are OK.

2:53 PM: And they’ve confirmed – it’s three people out diving and they’re fine. “False alarm,” they’ve proclaimed, and the response is being canceled.

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UPDATE: ‘Rope rescue’ response for crash near Olson/3rd
December 30, 2022 10:29 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

10:29 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a “rope rescue” response for what’s reported to be a “crash off the roadway” near Olson Place and 3rd SW [map]. Updates to come.

10:32 PM: First arriving firefighters say the vehicle is “30 feet down a bank” and so far it appears empty, so they’re going to have to go down and look for the occupant(s).

10:36 PM: New estimate, the car is more like 10 feet down the embankment. Still no sign of anyone. They’re downsizing the response.

10:43 PM: They’ll be blocking traffic “Olson to Roxbury” for a while, so if you’re headed that way, consider an alternate route.

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Short-lived water-rescue callout at Lincoln Park
December 18, 2022 10:12 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

Just in case you saw/heard the responding units and wondered – there was a short-lived “water rescue response” at Lincoln Park about half an hour ago. Turned out that a windsurfer reported as being in trouble, wasn’t.

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UPDATE: Water-rescue response off Alki Point, canceled
December 11, 2022 4:50 pm
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: Water-rescue response off Alki Point, canceled
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

4:50 PM: Another major Seattle Fire response – this time a “water-rescue response” for Alki Point. SFD dispatch is telling responders the report came in from the U.S. Coast Guard, reporting what appeared to be a person in the water hanging onto a log.

5 PM: Apparently the USCG is now saying nobody’s out there, but a rescue boat arriving in the area was going to look around just to be sure. The response overall is being canceled.

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UPDATE: ‘Rescue extrication’ response near Arrowhead Gardens, downsized
December 11, 2022 2:53 pm
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: ‘Rescue extrication’ response near Arrowhead Gardens, downsized
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

2:53 PM: SPD and SFD are on their way to a report of a vehicle into a ravine near 2nd SW and Olson Place, near Arrowhead Gardens. Updates to come.

2:56 PM: The response is being downsized. … SFD says that’s because no one was trapped after all.

3:26 PM: Our crew reports from the scene that police are blocking part of uphill Olson – as shown in our photo:

The vehicle that went into the greenbelt:

We’re told the people in the car were unhurt and are strategizing with police how to get it out,

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About the fire alarm at Spruce: Burning rubber suspected
November 21, 2022 9:24 pm
|    Comments Off on About the fire alarm at Spruce: Burning rubber suspected
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

Thanks for the tip. A texter asked about the fire-alarm response at Spruce (39th/Alaska, the building with LA Fitness). They reported smoke coming out of a vent from the underground building. Shortly after calling for a specialty unit that clears smoke, firefighters told dispatch that they’d had multiple reports of the suspected source of the smoke – drivers “drifting” in the garage.

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UPDATE: Water-rescue response at Lincoln Park
October 27, 2022 11:21 am
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(Added: WSB photos)

11:21 AM: An SFD water-rescue response was sent to Lincoln Park for reports of a possible paddleboarder in distress. We’re here and checking.

11:26 AM: “This is indeed a wind surfer and they are fine,” dispatch has just been told. The response is being dismissed.

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UPDATE: SFD response for car-on-side crash in Sunrise Heights (UPDATED WEDNESDAY)
October 18, 2022 10:29 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Sunrise Heights | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

10;29 PM: Seattle Fire has a “rescue response extrication” responding to a car-on-side crash in 7900 block of 32nd SW [vicinity map]. They’re trying to help a passenger get out of the car.

10:34 PM: They’ve gotten the person out of the car and are reducing the response.

10:43 PM: Thanks to Kyle for the photo. No word yet on injuries.

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: SFD confirms the 39-year-old woman they evaluated reported no injuries.

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UPDATE: Water-rescue response in Alki Point area
October 12, 2022 4:12 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(Added: Photo by DJ Sonsteng – boats involved in the response)

4:12 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a water-rescue response by land and sea to Alki Point, where someone is reported “in distress” in the water – someone “unable to get back on their board,” about 400 yards out, south of the lighthouse.

4:16 PM: First arriving crew told dispatch they have “eyes on the kite-surfer, who appears to be on (their) board.”

4:19 PM: They’re canceling most of the response.

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UPDATE: Woman to hospital after reported accidental shooting on Erskine Way
October 9, 2022 9:51 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

9:51 PM: Police and fire crews are headed to the 4800 block of Erskine Way for what’s reported initially as an accidental shooting. Updates to come.

10:02 PM: Police report SFD medics are treating the victim, described as female.

10:18 PM: She’s being taken to Harborview Medical Center. No further information so far on the circumstances.

11:19 PM: Still awaiting an update from SFD; communication between medics and Harborview just before she was transported described her as in her mid-20s, conscious, with one gunshot wound to the chest from a 9mm handgun.

9:06 AM: SFD tells us this morning that she was in serious condition when transported.

MONDAY AFTERNOON: Police are not releasing additional details except to say no one has been arrested and that the victim was expected to survive.

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UPDATE: Gas-leak response at 30th/Juneau
October 5, 2022 5:24 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

5:24 PM: The big Seattle Fire response at 30th/Juneau is for a reported gas leak. Updates to come.

5:35 PM: Firefighters are checking the air in nearby residences to determine safety.

5:38 PM: They’re reducing the response to a few units, while waiting for the leak to be handled. Puget Sound Energy is on the scene.

5:42 PM: SFD reports that PSE has secured the leak.

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UPDATE: Vehicle and trailer in the water at Don Armeni Boat Ramp
September 28, 2022 1:56 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

1:56 PM: Thanks for the tips. Police are at Don Armeni Boat Ramp because of what you can barely see in this photo – a submerged vehicle. From talking to police, and from area resident Stewart L., we’re told this was a mishap with a vehicle and trailer rolling into the water in the process of launching a boat. The boat’s OK; the vehicle and trailer are submerged. A tow truck is there but the driver says he needs a different truck to make the retrieval, so that won’t be happening for a while. No injuries reported.

3:20 PM: Commenter Kalo reports the vehicle (a pickup) and trailer are now out.

4:06 PM: Thanks to K for posting that photo in a comment below.

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UPDATE: Here’s why Junction TrueValue was unexpectedly closed this morning
September 24, 2022 11:41 am
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

11:41 AM: Thanks for the tip. We went to Junction TrueValue after a texter said it was unexpectedly closed for “a medical emergency.” When we got there, we found a responder from the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, which handles death investigations. TrueValue staff told us that a customer came in this morning and collapsed; medics were called and tried to revive him but could not. That’s all we know so far; the store is expected to reopen at some point this afternoon.

11:55 AM: Just got word that the store has reopened.

2:40 PM: TrueValue clarifies that the person did not come into the store – he was found just outside before they opened, and they called 911; the emergency response kept them from opening until the ME responder subsequently completed their work. SFD tells us the man who died was 29 years old.

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UPDATE: Crash blocks southbound West Marginal Way
September 3, 2022 2:00 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

2 AM: Another crash of note – this time on West Marginal Way. Southbound lanes are blocked at Puget Way while police investigate. This originally was dispatched as another “rescue extrication” situation but that was quickly canceled. However, police described the scene to dispatch as “high-speed” because of the damage done to the vehicle. We haven’t heard yet about injuries but will follow up with SFD.

4 AM: Some traffic was being allowed through, last we heard.

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UPDATE: Flipped-van crash on 16th SW
September 2, 2022 6:32 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

6:32 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a “rescue extrication” response to the 7900 block of 16th SW. Avoid the area. First engine on scene says it’s a “car on its top.” Updates to come.

6:36 PM: The callout is being downsized because nobody’s trapped after all – one person was in the vehicle and got out OK, firefighters told dispatch. Power lines might be involved, so they’re contacting City Light.

6:49 PM: Photos added. Responders are talking to the driver. No indication yet if they’ll have to go to the hospital, nor of how this happened. (Added) One more component of the scene – a leaning utility pole:

7:02 PM: Police just told dispatch they’re moving the closure boundary to 16th/Holden “because of a high-voltage line that came down.”

7:22 PM: Note that Metro Routes 125 and 128 are routed off 16th SW in the area. See here for alternate routing.

8:39 PM: SFD says the driver, in his mid-40s, was taken to a hospital in stable condition by AMR ambulance. … Also, both affected bus routes have resumed regular routing, indicating the street has reopened.

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LAST CALL: Get on the map for first-ever West Seattle Art Hop & Shop!
August 31, 2022 11:22 am
|    Comments Off on LAST CALL: Get on the map for first-ever West Seattle Art Hop & Shop!
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

One more reminder for artists interested in being part of the first-ever West Seattle Art Hop & Shop – two days left to register and get your place on the map!

As we’ve previewed previously, this peninsula-wide event will see dozens of artists opening their studios to show and sell their work, 10 am-5 pm on Saturday, September 17th. As of earlier this week, organizers say, 42 artists had signed up to show and sell at 21 locations – and there’s room for more! But if you want to be part of it and aren’t already registered, don’t miss the Friday (September 2nd) deadline. Go here for the registration form/info!

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UPDATE: Rescue response off Alki Beach
August 20, 2022 10:39 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

10:39 AM: Seattle Fire and other agencies are now heading to the water off 55th/Alki for a report of two people in the water “screaming for help.” Updates to come.

10:43 AM: The people who were calling for help, described as an adult and juvenile, are reported to be out of the water safely, so the response is being downsized.

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UPDATE: Car-on-side crash at 36th/Dakota
August 20, 2022 8:57 am
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(Texted photo)

8:57 AM: Thanks for the texted tip/photo. Seattle Fire has just extricated two people at a vehicle-on-side crash scene at 36th/Dakota [map].

(Texted photo)

Updates to come.

(WSB photo)

9:18 AM: At the scene, our crew was told the driver of the crashed car, a Prius, swerved to avoid another vehicle coming downhill, No serious injuries. (In our photo above, note that firefighters had to cut off the car’s top to get the occupants out.)

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UPDATE: PCC/Luna building declared safe after Seattle Fire hazmat response for CO2 problem
August 10, 2022 4:29 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

4:29 PM: A Seattle Fire “hazmat response” is arriving at the Admiral building shared by PCC Community Markets (WSB sponsor) and the Luna Apartments. Firefighters have told dispatch they’re evacuating the building. SFD says they’re investigating “reports of a hazardous-materials spill.” Updates to come.

(Added: This photo and next by Christopher Boffoli)

4:33 PM: They’re asking police to close California SW while they continue investigating. They’ve just told dispatch that one worker reported hearing “a loud boom in the room that supplies the refrigerant system.”

4:46 PM: Incident command has told dispatch that a team is getting “suited up” to go inside, which should take about 15 minutes. … In the meantime, in case you’re wondering, the zone of concern has NOT spread to Hiawatha/WSHS. SFD is staging Stevens, by the McDonald’s. Note that the California SW closure is rerouting buses for now.

(Added: Photo by Patrick Sand)

5:06 PM: A two-person “entry team” is going in. SFD confirms to our crew at the scene that the initial report was of a carbon-dioxide problem in the refrigeration area.

5:11 PM: They’ve just told dispatch they’ve confirmed it’s a CO2 problem and they’re working on a shutoff plan.

5:14 PM: And now they report verifying “very low levels” of CO2, and will start working on a “demobilization” plan.

5:25 PM: Our crew at the scene reports they’re also checking the garage to be sure the air is safe there. Meantime, the street likely will remain closed at least another hour, we’re told.

5:29 PM: Incident command has just reported SFD has “mitigated the source” and the apartment residents are being allowed back in. We don’t yet know the store’s status.

5:50 PM: SFD confirms the entire building has been deemed safe. No injuries. And SFD has just given the clear for California to be reopened.

6:05 PM: Metro says buses have resumed. PCC is open but not currently selling refrigerated items.

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