October 9– Seattle Fire Investigators determined the cause of a 3-alarm fire in Laurelhurst was lacquer fumes ignited by a furnace. The fire is being called an accidental fire.

 The damage has been estimated at more than $7 million dollars, including the house that was under construction.  In addition, the homes that were on both sides of the fire building suffered serious damage as well.

A source states the injured construction worker, a painter, was taken to Harborview Medical Center, a Level 1 Trauma Center.  The patient is currently in the Hospital’s burn unit.

Published reports indicated a firefighter suffered heat exhaustion and was also transported to HMC.  He was treated and released last night.

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October 8, 2012—Seattle Fire Investigators continue to search for the cause of a three-alarm fire that destroyed an under construction home and damaged 5 other homes.

At 1537 hours, the reporting party called 9-1-1 received in Seattle Fire’s Alarm Center stating they heard an explosion and reported fire in the attic of a house on the 5100 block of NE Laurelcrest Lane. The first arriving firefighters found a construction work that had sustained 2nd and 3rd degree burns to his face and hands.  He was immediately transported by Medics to Harborview Medical Center in stable condition.

The fire building, was a house under construction was fully engulfed and had exposures on both the North and South of it. Flames were seen shooting from the roof and all three floors.  The initial full-response was then immediately upgraded to a two-alarm to bring in additional resources to battle the multiple blazes that were quickly spreading.

Embers on fire in the air began falling on to the grassy hillside setting off sport fire and affecting three other homes catching their rooftops on fire.  With the brush fire and three additional homes burning, a three-alarm was called into actions. Firefighter quickly extinguished the spots fires and roof fires resulting in minor damages.

One firefighters suffered heat exhaustion and was taken to Harborview Medical Center where he was reported in stable condition.  He would be treated and later released that evening.

Firefighters will spend the night continuing to keep a fire watch and monitor the hot spots.

Location:  Laurelhurst – 5100 Block of Laurelhurst Lane, Seattle.

Units Dispatched: (Per CAD)

1537 Hours – Ladder 8, Battalion 5, Engine 22, Air 9, Safety 2, Staff 10, Deputy 1, Aid 25, Medic 16, Battalion 4, Engine 17, Engine 8, Engine 38 and Ladder 9.

1545 Hours – Medic 44 (Supervisor), Ladder 4, Battalion 7, Engine 2, Engine 9, Ladder 5, Engine 25, Engine 39, Air 240 (Secondary Air Unit), Communications Van.

1555 Hours – Engine 10, Engine 6, Ladder 3, Engine 30, Engine 5, Ladder 1.

1616 Hours – Marshal 5 (Fire Investigator(s) )

1623 Hours – Medic 31.

1633 Hours – Chaplain 6.

1753 Hours – Ladder 4.

1814 Hours – Battalion 6.

1840 Hours – Ladder 82.

1845 Hours – Engine 84.

1846 Hours – Battalion 55.

1907 Hours – Communications Van.

1914 Hours – Chaplain 6.

It was reported that over 90 firefighters were on scene fighting this chaotic and fast-moving fire.  Media reported that over 6 luxury homes were either heavily damaged or destroyed.

Due to Washington State being without rain for many weeks, even months conditions made this very dangerous for firefighters, residents and those attempting to put the flames out. 

Because this is National Fire Prevention Week, make sure you have an evacuation fire plan with “2 Ways Out”.  There was one report of a construction worker being seriously burned and a firefighter with minor injuries.  This fire could have been much worse but residents evacuated their homes quickly and safely and the fire department was called timely enabling them to stop this chaotic fire saving lives and the rest of the homes in the Community.  All should be commended for their hard work and putting their lives on the line.

(c) 2012 The NW Fire Blog

(c) 2012 Photography by John Odegard. Member/Fire Photographer with the Seattle Fire Buff Society.  They provide REHAB Support to Seattle Firefighters on scene.

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