Update 3: November 28, 2023, 2135 PT

Firefighters have the fire under control, say Fire Officials and Seattle Fire Department members will remain on fire watch overnight to address any hot spots and/or rekindling. One firefighter was reported as being injured with unknown injuries and was said to be in stable condition. He was transported to a nearby hospital, possibly Harborview Medical Center (trauma center). The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Photo Credit: SDOT

Update 2: November 28, 2023, 2033 PT

We did a little digging into this fire building and what it was last used for. A published document by the Department of Ecology states this is a toxic site. They opened a public comment time period from March 18 – April 16, 2022, to get input on the following clean-up documents for the site that were published by the agency.

It appears there is/was a Prospective Purchaser Consent Decree regarding the cleanup at the site. It looks like there are some really bad toxic chemicals at this site, which can be found on the Department of Ecology’s website here —> https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/cleanupsearch/site/4187 .

This address in the 4200 block of Rainier Avenue South was formerly the Rainier Mall, which was formerly developed with up to three separate drycleaning facilities on the southwestern portion of the property. This was constructed between approximately 1930 to 1968. Then at the north end of the building in 1967, it had a grocery store built on about 174 treated wooden poiles. It has been sitting unoccupied since 2016.

Update 1: November 28, 2023, 1935 hours PT.

King County, Washington — Flames shot through the roof of this commercial structure building making it glow under the darkened night sky this evening.

This was a furniture store at one time and like many other abandoned structures, they have seen the same fate as they go up in flames and become like Roman candles.

This fire appears to be just like the other ones where firefighters are called to action to put out the flames.

We have been tracking some rather interesting fire data within this area, where this building burned in the Rainier Avenue area. This was in the 4200 block which has also seen other fires.

This is what the aftermath looked like after getting water on the fire, but appears to have rekindled.

1st Alarm units include: A10 AIR10 B2 B5 DEP1 E10 E28 E33 E5 E6 L1 L10 L12 M28 M44 MAR5 R1 REHAB1 SAFT2 and STAF10.

2nd Alarm units include: A14 A31 AIR26 B6 B7 E22 E25 E26 E27 E34 L11 L4 L6 and M1.

Fire Officials have stated the front side of the fire building has collapsed. Command has established a collapse zone, in which firefighters are to stay out of the area established by the Chief. They must fight the fire from the exterior, which appears they are currently in defensive operations.

In an earlier instance in the City, there was a dumpster fire with exposures (other buildings in potential harm’s way) on East Madison Street and 20th Avenue, prompting the response of B2 E34 E6 L10 MAR5 (FIU Investigation Unit) and SAFT2.

A HAZMAT incident occurred in the 1400 block of Elliott Avenue West, for an unknown white substance was found outside. First SFD said a male patient was injured but then he was in satisfactory condition. HAZMAT members tested the white matter determining it to be a non-hazardous substance. The scene was turned over to local law enforcement. This was this evening’s call and appeared to be the same on November 26th but located in the 1500 block of 12th Avenue. This was determined to be baking soda in a water solution. Seattle Police are also investigating this incident.

Photo Credits: Seattle Fire Department

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