Crime & Safety
Four Seattle Businesses Destroyed In 3-Alarm Fire
More than 150 Seattle firefighters battled flames and wind for several hours Monday afternoon.
SEATTLE, WA — Four Ballard businesses were destroyed, and another heavily damaged, as a fire tore through a Ballard shopping center Monday afternoon. More than 150 firefighters battled flames and wind gusts for more than three hours along the 2300 block of Northwest Market Street, according to Seattle Fire. Dozens of units were dispatched to the area right around noon. Less than an hour later, crews called for a third alarm and 65 percent of the city's firefighting force had arrived on scene. One firefighter was taken to Harborview Medical Center with minor injuries.
By 3:30 p.m. flames were finally under control, but some crews will stay on scene throughout the night taking care of hot spots and making sure nothing reignites. Five businesses were damaged and remain evacuated: Kitchen n Things, La Isla, Super Cuts, Coleman Jewelers, and Pho Big Bowl. Seattle Fire said at least four of those businesses are a total loss. Fire investigators will revisit the scene on Tuesday to confirm the extent of the damage.
Early video shared by Seattle Fire showed flames and heavy smoke pouring from the building and a KIRO 7 news helicopter captured footage of more than a dozen firefighters on the rooftop trying to prevent flames from spreading further. Seattle Fire confirmed winds Monday made things especially difficult to get a handle on. The National Weather Service said gusts in the area ranged from 12-18 mph during the first two hours of the firefight.
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Due to concerns over a potential roof collapse, firefighters pulled back from the building shortly after 1 p.m., taking up defensive firefighting positions and hitting the flames from ladders. Seattle Fire asked those living nearby to close their windows and doors to avoid exposure to a large amount of smoke that covered the area.
Investigators will work to determine the fire's origin and cause. No other injuries were reported.
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Fire in old Ballard! pic.twitter.com/6OrHtqSGro
— Jessica Gallegos (@jess_gallegos) October 7, 2019
PSA: if you live in Ballard and smell smoke, close your windows and doors to avoid smoke exposure. pic.twitter.com/MnJP5czGyD
— Seattle Fire Dept. (@SeattleFire) October 7, 2019
2300 Blk. of NW Market St.: Businesses in the building who are impacted have been evacuated. Firefighters have cut holes in roof to release toxic gases and smoke. pic.twitter.com/e6D3Uer5PX
— Seattle Fire Dept. (@SeattleFire) October 7, 2019
#BREAKING Seattle Fire is battling a 3-alarm fire on Market Street in Ballard. They tell me 5 business have been evacuated. @KING5Seattle pic.twitter.com/LA1QGadUJD
— Kalie Greenberg (@KalieG_KING5) October 7, 2019
UPDATE: 65 percent of @SeattleFire now battling this fire at 5 Ballard businesses. Nobody injured. Everyone evacuated in time. Market Street will remain closed during the response. #komonews pic.twitter.com/oVFsV3JpjH
— Patrick Quinn (@PatrickQuinnTV) October 7, 2019
The winds are definitely not making visibility easy but they are still making good progress. pic.twitter.com/nIfEfqz5Qv
— Ryan Elkins (@RElkinsP71) October 7, 2019
Firefighters battle a three-alarm fire in Ballard on a windy day in Seattle. @seattletimes pic.twitter.com/G7InxmZth9
— Andy Bao (@AndyBaoPhoto) October 7, 2019
#Q13FOX Fire has engulfed a building housing at least 5 businesses. 3 alarms.. 65% of @SeattleFire are here to fight this blaze! pic.twitter.com/4cqqUK8rJC
— Dante Jackson (@DJackQ13FOX) October 7, 2019
Half a block of businesses still on fire in Ballard pic.twitter.com/qDUOwN70CS
— Genna Martin (@photogenna) October 7, 2019
Seattle firefighters pouring water into businesses as they continue to contain this fire. #komonews @SeattleFire pic.twitter.com/GmdcUzzXJF
— Adrian Ramirez (@AdrianKOMONews) October 7, 2019
@KIRO7Seattle CHOPPER7 over a two-alarm Fire in Ballard. pic.twitter.com/fREk2KvZuY
— Sean Quinn (@SeanHQuinn) October 7, 2019
Oh my god. Building is on fire in our neighborhood. Looks like Kitchen and Things or La Isla. @SeattleFire has tons of trucks here. Hoping everyone is okay. Smoke is very thick right now in #ballard pic.twitter.com/zJmfepSQTP
— Amber Osborne (@MissDestructo) October 7, 2019
View of fire from Ballard Bridge pic.twitter.com/kmWuPN35oC
— Christian Cabanero (@chumpboy) October 7, 2019
Our view from our place Fire alarm went off now. Working on evacuating to a smoke free place. pic.twitter.com/Zl1uZH7pVE
— Emily (@elumina) October 7, 2019
This is so sad. La Isla had been helping out Puerto Rico after the hurricane & had fundraisers for the them. I hope the Ballard community will help support them after this terrible fire. https://t.co/QaCQKgt21P
— Juliet ↙↙↙ (@InventingWords) October 7, 2019
Huge fire in our neighborhood and two of our favorite restaurants are expected to be totally destroyed. Not looking forward to telling the kid.
— Kimya Dawson (@mrskimyadawson) October 7, 2019
. @SeattleFire activity on NW Market St blocking all WB and EB lanes between Ballard Ave NW & 24th Ave NW. pic.twitter.com/7ZrOrHDVRR
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) October 7, 2019
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