3-alarm fire destroys South Seattle house under construction, spreads to nearby homes

SEATTLE — A fierce fire near Seattle’s Genessee Park destroyed a home under construction and spread to two others.

Dispatchers began receiving reports about a fire in the 4000 block of 43rd Avenue South in the Mount Baker neighborhood at 4:40 a.m. Friday.

The first crew to arrive said the fire had caused a home under construction to collapse, taking the attached power lines down with it.

The fire had also spread to two occupied homes directly north and south of the construction site, causing the response to be upgraded to two alarms, Seattle Fire Department spokesperson David Cuerpo told KIRO 7.

Shortly after, a third alarm was called out, with 13 engines, seven ladder trucks, and command and support units responding. In all, more than 100 Seattle Fire Department personnel were at the scene.

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Seattle 3-alarm fire (Mark Kuiper)

The adjacent homes were immediately evacuated by firefighters. Several people were evaluated at the scene, but no one was hurt.

Though the fire at the home under construction was brought under control, the fire at the home directly south of it became the focus of firefighters.

Flames ripped through all three floors and caused its roof to collapse. Crews then fought the fire from a safe distance, and the flames were declared to be under control by 6:07 a.m.

Residents of both homes are staying with friends and family.

Cuerpo said the home to the north of the construction site had minimal damage to its roof and third floor.

A few crews remain at the scene to fully put out the fire, and are watching for possible flare-ups during the morning hours.

Investigators have yet to determine what sparked the fire.

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