A devastating fire engulfed an apartment building under construction in Seattle's Columbia City neighborhood early Saturday morning, also claiming a nearby residential home and several vehicles. As reported by KIRO 7, the Seattle Fire Department received initial reports of the fire at approximately 2:38 a.m. in the 3300 block of Claremont Avenue South.
In response to the escalating situation, firefighters faced a 2-alarm fire, with more than seventy personnel responding including eight fire engines and six ladder trucks. A neighboring home fell victim to the blaze, and several cars parked to the south of the site were also damaged. "The first units that arrived reported flames spreading throughout the entire structure, prompting them to upgrade the incident to a 2-alarm fire, which called for eight fire engines, six ladder trucks, and additional support units to respond to the scene. More than seventy firefighters were dispatched to fight the flames," a statement obtained by KIRO 7 details the scope of the fire.
The construction site was intended to birth new opportunities for underprivileged kids in the form of significant contributions to the "Rave Foundation," a non-profit associated with Seattle Sounders, as per an interview with the property owner, Thach Nguyen, by KOMO News. Nguyen expressed both his disappointment and resilience following the disaster: "It’s disappointing because now we need to figure out what it’s going to take to get this thing started all over again."
Despite the ferocity of the fire, emergency protocols ensured that there were no casualties, and one woman was evaluated for smoke exposure and found to be in stable condition. “No one was hurt so at least that’s good and at least these here you can start all over because it’s wood and nails," Nguyen told KOMO News.
Alongside the ongoing investigation into the cause of the blaze, residents who were evacuated have since returned to their homes, as confirmed by FOX 13 Seattle. The loss of the building has significant repercussions for community projects financed by the sale of the constructed units. The fundraising goal of one million dollars, set to support the building of 26 soccer fields by 2026, now faces a setback as a year may slip by before rebuilding can commence.
