A blaze tore through a houseboat on Lake Union yesterday, sparking up a two-alarm emergency that roped in more than 75 firefighters and several marine units in the Westlake neighborhood, reports say. According to Seattle Fire Department, the Seattle fire crews responded to the distress call just before 2 p.m. and found the fire threatening to quickly spread to nearby structures.
Firefighters acted fast to dramatically knock down the bulk of the inferno, managing to prevent it from seriously compromising a neighboring four-story commercial building. By 2:30 p.m., the fire was substantially under control, with crews ensuring that both houseboats and the building were evacuated and that no individuals were harmed in the incident. Tragically, one dog is still unaccounted for.
As part of their environmental control measures, the fire department notified the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Ecology to assist in the response. Firefighters also deployed precautionary measures to staunch the spread of toxins and fuel in the lake, using flotation booms – a necessary step in mitigating potential ecological damage.
One fire engine was tasked to remain steadfast at the scene into the evening, ensuring that any potential flare-ups could to quickly be addressed. The cause of the fire is still under wraps, as investigators piece together the events that culminated in the Westlake inferno. Local officials implore anyone with information to come forward to aid in the ongoing investigation.
