SEATTLE – Just after 4 p.m. on Sept. 4, firefighters responded to the 2000 block of NE 130th St. for a fire in a residence. Upon arrival, the detached garage was fully engulfed in flames and the fire had already spread to the single-story house. Crews fought the fire defensively with hand lines from the exterior and searched survivable spaces within the back of the home for possible occupants. A man who lived in the home was able to make it out safely, with escort of fire personnel. Approximately 40 minutes after arrival on scene, the fire was put under control.
The home is located in a wooded area surrounded by brush and contents, making access a challenge. Even with this difficulty, firefighters were able to effectively prevent the fire from spreading further to brush and an adjacent property. Fire investigators responded to the scene and ruled the cause of the fire as “accidental” and estimated the total loss at $150,000.
SAFETY TIP: Clean-up brush and contents around the exterior of structures, and designate and keep clear fire escape routes within homes.
