SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – Firefighters were dispatched to a fire in building call on Sunday early evening around 1846 hours PT.
The incident occurred at a privately managed apartment building in the 3000 block of NE 140th Street in Lake City, about eight miles north of downtown Seattle.
First due Engine 39 reported light smoke from a two-story 100×100 wood frame apartment building. They assumed command and E40 established a water supply.
All occupants self-extricated themselves from the apartment unit.
No injuries to firefighters or citizens were reported.
The fire was quickly under control and later tapped.
Some units returned back to service, while Seattle Fire’s Marshal 5 remained on-scene investigating the cause. No preliminary causes have been released at the time of this post.
(c) 2020 NW Fire Blog – Updated 4/26/2020 @ 1940 PT
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON — Seattle Firefighters and assets were dispatched through the Fire Alarm Center on Saturday at 2018 hours PT to a heavy rescue – major call with five vehicles involved.
A report of a vehicle with one of them possibly cut in half was dispatched out over the air.
When first due resources arrived, it was immediately known to be a single vehicle with a deceased occupant inside. A second person was safely extricated and both were transported to the hospital.
The incident occurred in the location of 3400 block of Airport Way South.
It was quickly downgraded to a heavy rescue only.
Units dispatched were: A10, A14, Air10, B2, B5, Deputy1, Engines 13, 27, 36, 5, 6; Ladders 1, 3; Medic10,; Rescue 1, Safety 2 and Staff 10. Additional units were also tied to this incident: M44, Aid 5 and Engine 10.
No word on what caused the vehicle to crash or what it crashed into was released by Officials at the time this post was published.
March and April has been a very long and busy month already for Seattle Firefighters and it does not appear to be slowing down any time soon.
I don’t know about you but there seems to be a pattern of fires breaking out spontaneously, or perhaps not but we won’t say. However, there appears to be more and more fires breaking out in abandoned structures in the same general area, but don’t take it from us. Social Media posters are also noticing the same fire trends.
Here are some fires that have lit up Seattle today and in the past weeks.
APRIL 4, 2020 | SATURDAY
Photo Credit | Seattle FD
On Saturday (today) morning, a full response was sent into action via the Seattle Fire Alarm Center at 0518 hours, sending a large number of Seattle firefighters and assets to an abandoned building located in the 800 block of North 50th Street off of Aurora Avenue North.
Firefighters fought it from the exterior side, an obvious defensive fire . Using hose lines and Ladder pipe operations, water was sent through the partially collapsed roof over the fire building. It was deemed too dangerous for them to enter the interior of the structure during fire suppression activities.
The Seattle Department of Transportation shutdown the right southbound lane due to the fire and blocking Fire equipment.
Fire Investigators have not released the cause of the fire and say it is still under investigation.
There have been a host of other fires in the City today, which include the following by each time fire personnel and assets are dispatched via the Seattle Fire Alarm Center.
0723: 6100 block x 28th Avenue Northwest. Garbage Fire. Handled by a single engine response (E8).
1139 hours: 800 block of Maynard Avenue South. Illegal burn call. Handled by Engine 10.
1201 hours: 1600 block of South Lane Street. Illegal burn. Single engine response. Handled by Engine 6.
1223 hours: Southbound I5 to Corson. Brush fire. Dispatched were Engines 2, 13, 36 and Battalion 5.
1605 hours: Garbage Fire. Stewart Street x Westlake Avenue. Engine 5 dispatched.
1335 hours: Garbage Fire. 4th Avenue South x South Massachusetts Street. Engine 16 dispatched.
Heavy flames and smoke destroyed an abandoned building on the corner of Roy and Aurora Avenue North in the 600 block of Roy Street. Both directions of Highway 99 and Mercer Street was closed.
Roy Street Fire. Photo Credit: Seattle FD
MARCH 27, 2020 | FRIDAY
An extremely hot and fast-moving fire put the lives of many in danger, as firefighters raced to try to access the fire from the shore and had no choice but to shuttle personnel in fire boats to fire suppression from the water side. Multiple boats were reportedly lost.
MARCH 16, 2020 | TUESDAY
1334 hours: A resident acros the street on 8th and Weller captured video of extreme fire behavior of a homeless encampment going up in flames. He pleaded to the Seattle Mayor that we need to put our unhoused folks in better accommodations and decried their current conditions as inhumane. Saying additionally, we need to better protect them.
MARCH 15, 2020 | MONDAY
A fire breaks out underneath I5 and Boren Avenue bridge in the Chinatown International District. Seattle firefighters respond to a fire due to cooking at a homeless encampment gets out of control. this is what they have to deal with.
Firefighters were called out on Saturday night at 2122 hours PDT to respond to a dryer fire in the building located in the 4300 block of 29th Avenue South in Seattle, Washington.
The call went out as a full response dispatching the following units: A14 AIR10 B2 B5 DEP1 E13 E27 E28 E30 E6 L12 L3 M28 M44 MAR5 R1 REHAB1 SAFT2 and STAF10.
Firefighters quickly egressed and ten minutes into the incident, it was determined the first arriving units could handle as a single response, lealving Engines 13 and 30, Ladder 3 and Battalion 5 on-scene.
Fire was reported as under control with no preconnect. A ventilation system was put into place.
Primary search of floor one was complete with nothing found (2141 hours). A search of a nearby exposure was also conducted and nothing found.
Engine 30 was working with the challenge of shutting off the continuous spray of fire sprinklers. They were finally shutoff at 2142 hours.
There were no reports of any injuries to citizens, residents or firefighters.
The cause is currently unknown at this time, as firefighters to continue with fire operations.
Firefighters are yet again on another large blaze this weekend. Seattle Firefighters were dispatched on Saturday morning around 1051 hours PST to a 2-alarm fire in a vacant building located in the 600 block of South Roy Street.
First due units reported heavy smoke and flames in the vacant building. Due to heavy fire and unknown interior conditions of the building, crews were being forced to fight it from the outside; a defensive operation. No fire crews were allowed inside the building.
The Fire Department was encouraging those who live in the area to close their windows due to heavy smoky conditions to prevent smoke inhalation.
Photo Credit | Seattle Fire Department
A wall on the Delta side was starting to bow out (around 1227 hours) and command asked crews on this and Charlie sides to watch the structure. All firefighters were out of the collapse zone.
After almost fighting the fire over a period of two hours, fuel tanks were beginning to run low. A fuel truck was requested to assist with several companies.
We are covering this incident with Live Updates on Twitter @nwfireblog
SEATTLE, Wash. – Seattle Firefighters were dispatched to a well-involved fire at a local Marina located in the 1300 block of SW Spokane Street on Friday night at 2127 hours PST.
This incident was designated as “Spokane Command” by the Incident Commander.
The fire broke out from an unknown cause at the Jim Clark Marina located near Harbor Island in West Seattle with crews emptying out several Seattle fire stations.
Marine Group: Fire Boats 4 and 5. Patrol 4 (Seattle PD), Marine 1, Rescue1.
Ladder Trucks: L1, 3, 11.
FIU: Marshal5.
Firefighter REHAB: REHAB1 (Ladder 27, Seattle Fire Buff volunteers).
Fire operations included limited access, so firefighters were being shuttled around by both Seattle Fire Boats to access points on the dock. Due to the severity of the fire, the IC was concerned with putting too much weight on the docks and quickly pulled crews off. He also did not want them going too deep into boathouses, docks and boats putting themselves in harm’s way.
First due units reported that the fire was on a dock and heading towards the marina. Units found limited access and fire boats were being used as primary firefighting suppression resources.
Video Credit | Bryan Vlok (used with written permission)
Fire Boat 4 came around the water side through a railroad trestle (bridge goes over the water) and to the fire scene. Due to limited access by firefighters on the shore side, FB4 and crew were tasked with primary fire suppression activities. A masterstream was used at that moment to put water on the fire.
Eventually, when they were done – they were sent around to another side of the fire. Later, when firefighters were pulled off the dock – FB4 and crew stopped the masterstream and used handlines.
At the end of the fire incident they used their masterstream again but this time for a foam blanket over the fire damaged areas.
The train trestle that goes over the water was secured for crews to lay hose down to extend near the marina. This worked in their favor.
Units would soon be released from the scene, while a few remained to address the spot fires.
All-in-all, it was estimated at a loss of 1 boat (east side of fire) and 12 boats (including a houseboat and boathouse) on the west side. It was reported that a boat appeared to be drifting, eventually sank completely under water.
Though a foam blanket was being applied to the fire ravaged scene, some may be conducting “fire watch” throughout the night until they are relieved by other crews.
Fire History at this Marina
There was one previous fire that broke out at this marina on December 29, 2015 from an unknown cause, which burned two boats and damaged two more.
A verbal dispute ignited in gunshots with multiple people involved and shot. A total of eight people were shot resulting in one death, a 50-year old patient in critical condition and in surgery, while a 9-year old was listed in very serious condition. Five others were said to be in stable condition.
SFD Chief Scoggins: “We transported five patients to HMC and we were told that the hospital is treating seven total. There is unknown information as to these two additional patients, if they were walk-ins or self-transported to the facility and they are working on gathering additional information. There were a total of eight people were shot, including one deceased person.”
SPD Chief Best: “There was a dispute in front of the McDonalds where people out pulled out guns and shots were fired. It is unknown if this shooting is connected to the earlier afternoon incident on 3rd and Blanchard. Still gathering information on the number of suspect(s). Multiple people were involved but they are still investigating.” (7:45 PM)
Here is a tally of what has been happening this month alone:
January 22, 2020 – 4th Avenue x Pine – Shooting – MCI
Police radio traffic on the scanner feed switched over to a Tactical channel and then the feed eventually stopped transmitting. (8:00 PM)
A presser was released on this incident. (7:45 PM)
Police were dispatched to the Washington Convention Center located in the 700 block of Pike Street, Seattle. The suspect was described as a black male, thin build, 6’1″, wearing gray jacket and black turtleneck pulled over his face. He attempted to force his way into the Center but they are currently on lockdown. Security Guards were reporting this as possibly to as the shooter’s same description. (7:30 PM)
Mass Casualty Incident or MCI for short | Another shooting in the downtown area. Shooting in this area with multiple victims. Police say suspect fled but they were still searching for him. They were assisting with First Aid treatment of the multiple patients. (5:11 PM)
January 22, 2020 – 300 block x Blanchard – Shooting Call
Photo Credit: Seattle DOT
Officers were dispatched to this area for a shooting. 3rd Avenue has been closed to all traffic, while they are investigating. (3:00 PM)
Officers from Seattle Police and Deputies from King County Sheriff’s Office were involved in this shooting. The suspect has been transported to Harborview Medical Center for treatment of non life-threatening injuries. No officers or deputies were injured during this encounter. Force Investigation Team detectives are responding. (3:19 PM)
January 21, 2020 – 1600 block x 4th Ave – Shooting Call
SPD Officers were dispatched near Pine Street. 1 person found with a gunshot wound was located in the stairwell of the Westlake Center. The 55-year old later died of his injuries. Officers performed CPR on the victim until they were relieved by Seattle Firefighters and Medics. (3:45 PM)
January 19, 2020 – 4200 Blk x S Willow Street – Possible DUI Call
A concerned citizen stopped a SPD Officer to report a possible drunk driver passed out next to vehicle. The responding Officer found the victim to have a gunshot wound to his head. He was declared deceased at the scene by SFD Medics. The victim was 52-years old. (1:00 AM)
January 17, 2020 – S Kenyon Street x Renton Ave S – Shots Fired Call
SPD Officers were dispatched to the area to find no one injured but property damage from multiple shots fired. Police took two guns off the street along with multiple spent casings. Suspects fled in a stolen car. This is located in the Rainier Valley area.
January 10, 2020 – 4500 blk x 40th Ave SW – Injured Person, Unresponsive
25-year old male, roommate to the victim called 9-1-1 to report a female down at the bottom of a staircase in their shared West Seattle home located. Officers were suspicious and turned the case over to Homicide Detectives. The victim died on January 13, 2020. Initially, they interviewed him but released the person-of-interest. However, after further evidence, they charged him with murder on January 22, 2020. He was booked into the King County jail.
January 2, 2020 – Belltown – Shooting
Witnesses began flooding 9-1-1 with multiple calls of a person down on the ground after reports of shots were reported just before 11:00 PM. Officers arrived within minutes to find a 35-year old man with a single gunshot wound to the leg. Arriving patrols applied a tourniquet to the wound and called for Medics. The patient was transported to HMC with non-life threatening injuries. Detectives were busy investigating the shooting case the following day on January 3, 2020.
January 1, 2020 – S Washington Street at Occidental Avenue S – Shooting
Photo Credit: Seattle DOT
Police responded to a shooting in the Pioneer Square area to find a victim that had been shot, who was transported to Harborview Medical Center but succumed to his fatal injuries. The suspect was located immediately and arrested SPD bike Officers, booked into King County Jail.
If you have any tips to some of these unsolved shooting cases, please contact the Seattle Police Homicide Detectives at 206-233-5000.
(c) 2020 NW Fire Blog – Posted: 1/22/2020 — 2020 hours PST
An exterior shed fire ignited from an unknown cause in the backyard of a home in the 9400 block of 18th Avenue SW in Seattle, Washington on Sunday, January 19, 2020.
Due to the fire, a power line was downed. The power company was requested to respond to the fire ground.
Resources
Seattle Fire units A14 AIR10 B5 B7 DEP1 E26 E27 E32 E36 E37 L1 L11 M32 M44 MAR5 R1 REHAB1 SAFT2 STAF10 and E11.
Stock Photo (c) NW Fire Blog
Seattle City Light power crews.
Fire Operations
Engine 11 arrived as first due apparatus to a working fire of a 20×20 exterior shed in the backyard of a home. They immediately pulled a pre-connect and designated the incident as “18th Avenue SW Command”. (2114 PST)
Battalion asked if the response could be reduced. (2116). She arrived shortly there after. (2119)
Engine 26 provided water for Engine 11. Engine continued to run on tank water and switched over. During the fire operation, they needed to hook up to a secondary hydrant for a water supply.
Water was put on the fire on the Charlie side. The fire response was reduced to a 2. 1&1 which is two engines, a ladder company and a Battalion Chief. Engines 11 and 37, Ladder 11 and Battalion 2 remained on-scene. (2120-2121)
It was reported that this could be a possible hoarder situation, which from experience we know to be dangerous to occupants and to firefighters. The interior of the basement and floor one of the nearby residence also was checked. There were no extension, smoke or damage to the home, but also in the same alleged condition.
The fire was tapped several minutes later. (2133)
Cause
A Seattle Fire Investigator, Marshal 5 was dispatched to this call and is currently on-scene investigating the cause. There is no preliminary cause at the time of this post.
Injuries
No reports of injuries to the occupant or firefighters have occurred.
Red Cross was requested for one displaced occupant. (2155)
(c) 2020 NW Fire Blog – Posted 1/19/2020 @ 2155 hours PST
In March of 2019, we took a trip over to the Fisherman’s Terminal in Seattle to see if we could catch a glimpse of any infamous fishing vessels or fire boats. We were lucky this time and found SFD’s Marine One repositioning themselves in the marina.
A perfect and cold day to photograph them in action and worth the trip over, no matter where their destination was on that day.
M/V MARINE ONE also known as Fire Boat 1, is a FireStorm 50 (50 foot) model fireboat constructed by MetalCraft Marin of Kingston, Ontario (Canada).
It can reach speeds up to about 30 knots and fitted with a 200-gallon foam tank for chemically-fueled fires as well as land-based firefighting, rescue and salvage operations in contaminated environments. Additional capabilities include accomodate EMS treatment, pinpoint people in the water and other hot spots through a imaging camera.
Today, we remember the four lives that were stolen from us back on January 5, 1995, when an arson fire set by Martin Pang, the son of the owners of the Mary Pang Chinese Food Company in hopes of collecting a large insurance sum of money.
Credit | US Fire Administration
A man described by his ex-wifes and former girlfriends, say his threats of violence came in the form of setting fires and they reported his intentions to the Seattle Police and Fire Departments prior to the deadly incident.
The determined cause of the fire was ruled as arson and Martin Pang, the son was charged. He would flee to Brazil knowing they have no extridite policy. After three years of diplomatic delays, he would come back to the United States and make a plea deal instead of fighting to be extridited.
In the end, he was charged with 35 years but would only serve 20 years for “good behavior”. Challenges to allow him to be released sooner than his sentence, all efforts failed and angered many.
CALL DETAILS
At 1902 hours, Seattle Fire Dispatch initially received a 9-1-1 call from a reporting party, a band member who occupied one of the rooms within an adjacent building to the Mary Pang Chinese Food Company warehouse. They reported smoke seeping into their practice room.
Courtesy | Pierce Co Firefighters
A 1st alarm or full response, as it is known today, was dispatched by the Seattle Fire Alarm Center (FAC). Five engines, two ladder trucks, one aid unit (BLS), one Medic unit (ALS), Air Support and two Command Staff were immediately deployed at 1903 PST.
They would respond to the 800 block of 7th Avenue in Seattle, Washington on January 5, 1995. This was known as the Mary Pang Chinese Food warehouse, a food-processing plant that prepared pre-made food that was distributed to area grocery stores.
This building had been operating successfully in this location for 20 years prior to this incident. It was located in the busy portion of the International District of Seattle and only a few blocks from the former Kingdome.
FIRE OPERATIONS
First due units reported a well-involved building fire and pulled a pre-connect to a nearby hydrant. Some reported fire at the rear of the structure and from a small shed, this was later identified as an employee lunchroom that had been “added on” to the structure. One of the crews initiated a forcible entry, then were tasked with raising ground ladders to proceed with Roof Operations and to cut a hole in the roof for vertical ventilation.
Fire crews were working on opposite sides of the building. Once inside, they found a few spot fires and immediately knocked them down. These were mostly near the ground floor level. Crews were working in adverse conditions that included zero visibility, having to move around equipment and stored materials blindly and very slowly. Some interior temps were reported hot enough to keep them in crouched positions but they did not distinguish as being abnormal.
Fire in some parts of the building were cool, while crews found a small fire burning in the basement of the building. Initials reports indicate they thought there were only two floors and were unaware of a basement in this building.
At some point during fire operations, the building was said to have rumbled and flames erupted from the basement as the floor began to collapse. An unanticipated flaw (one of many key issues raised by the Fire Investigative report) in the structure, caused the “pony wall” to fail which dropped the ends of the floor joists and sending sections of wood and concrete floor down into the basement. Flames then began to spread across the underside of the roof and what was on the ground floor began to catch on fire in a rapid flashover sequence.
Two Fire Lieutenants and two Firefighters also disappeared into the fire, while seven firefighters and one Lieutenant bailed out of windows and doors suffering burns to their necks, ears, wrists and one hand. No one on the outside knew what was happening on the inside.
Hot and heavy smoke began billowing out of doors and through a small hole in the roof where they ventialated the smoke. Smoking Firefighters’ PPE (Firefighters protection personal equipment) were visible as those on the outside watched the rapid events unfolding before their eyes.
1st Alarm units were aware of the arson threat but they were unaware of the multiple rennovations done on this building over its 85-year history. There were several crucial failures on this day.
THE WORST NIGHTMARE EVER
Abandon the Building tones were broadcasted over radio transmissions. The FAC notifified command that they received an emergency activation alert. It was determined that it was not coming from one but two firefighter radios. Later learned, four firefighters were found to be missing.
Credit | FEMA
Search-and-rescue missions were immediately coordinated by crews to look for the missing four and tracking their last-known-locations. Rescue efforts continued but then the risk to the rescuers would be far greater to them.
All efforts were ceased due to the amount of time missing and extreme risk to rescuers themselves. This would weigh on many firefighters then, now and most likely, in the future.
Firefighters were forced to abandon the building and return to firefighting suppression efforts, including using masterstreams to control the fire.
All four firefighters were rescued from the demolished building but it would take a total of three sombering days.
LESSONS LEARNED
A lot has changed within the City of Seattle and around the country, since this incident happened in 1995, but we can tell you that this event and what transpired still affects firefighters, both active and retired to this day. It brings tears to many and anger to others as they say this could have been easily prevented.
Since, this date – a lot has happened in the wake of this terrible tragedy.
Survivors (Firefighters Families) were awarded $450,000 – $5.6 Million in damage lawsuits against the City of Seattle. SFD, 75% liable. Martin Pang, 25% liable.
Seattle Fire has made great strides to changing their accountability, risk-management, pre-fire planning, 360* size ups of their buildings, progress reports to name just a few.
THE SEATTLE FIRE FOUR – Through the Eyes of the World
We would like to dedicate this post to the Seattle Fire Four, who lost their lives on this day in 1995. We will continue to remember your accomplishments in the living, the impacts you had on your communities and the Legacies you left us all to behold.
Today, we remember those Lost and their Legacies left behind. It is what we can only do in the present.
Credit | Seattle Fire/IAFF Local 27
SEATTLE FIRE DEATHS – Always Remember, Never Forgotten
1891 | Firefighter Herman Larson.
1899 | Fire Engineer Charles E Brabon.
1910 | Captain JN Longfellow.
1914 | Firefighter Patrick Cooper.
1917 | Battalion Chief Fred G. Gilham and Firefighter Ole G. Rust.
1920 | Firefighter Charles F. Lacasse.
1923 | Captain Horace E. Roberts.
1924 | Firefighter William E. Shuberg.
1925 | Firefighter Cecil McKenzie.
1927 | Firefighter Darwin T. Lund.
1928 | Firefighter Charles E. Wheeler.
1937 | Fire Captain Albert S. Wolpert.
1938 | Firefighter Theodore R. Cousland.
1943 | Firefighter Luther D. Bonner.
1945 | Captain Andrew G. Beattie.
1947 | Firefighter Fred O. Larson.
1949 | Firefighters Jack W. McGee and Glen S. Murphy.
1957 | Firefighter James Willey.
1964 | Firefighter John F. Herron.
1966 | Captain Harold W. Webb.
1968 | Firefighter Henry C. Gronnerud.
1976 | Firefighter Gerald Miller.
1983 | Firefighter Lisa J. LOng.
1984 | Firefighter Mary R. Mathews.
1987 | Firefighter Robert d. Earhart.
1989 | Lieutenant Mathew W. Johnson.
1991 | Firefighter Donald L. Perry.
1995 | Firefighters James T. Brown and Randall R. Terlicker. Lieutenants Walter D. Kilgore and Gregory A. Shoemaker.
1996 | Firefighter Gary V. Medica.
2004 | Deputy Chief Gerald N. Moberg.
2005 | Firefighter Nathaniel Ford.
2008 | Firefighter Timothy J. Heelan and Battalion Chief James H. Scragg.
2009 | Battalion Chief David H. Jacobs and Firefighter Stephen Lohr.
2010 | Deputy Chief Jesse F. Youngs.
2011 | Firefighter Jeffrey Brit.
2013 | Firefighter Jess Hernandez.
2014 | Firefighters Keith I. Johnson and Wallace F. Goulet.
2015 | Firefighter Joshua Milton.
2016 | Firefighters Tristan Smith, Scott Steed and Captain Craig Aman.
2018 | Firefighter Marvin Larry.
Sources: FEMA/Homeland Security, Seattle Fire, IAFF Local 27, Social Media, news media.
