SEATTLE — A fire that broke out inside of a building in Seattle’s International District early Thursday is under investigation.
The building is located in the 800 block of South Weller Street, about one mile northeast of T-Mobile Park.
Around 4:45 a.m., officials upgraded the response to 2-alarm.
KIRO 7′s Ranji Sinha said the fire originally started on the second floor, but went through to the third floor and collapsed several sections of the roof. No injuries have been reported.
#BREAKING Building fire 8th Ave & Weller in Seattle Chinatown International Dist has collapsed several sections of roof & @SeattleFire hitting building w/ huge amount of water - fire comes after a string of fires set nearby in last 24-48 hrs says Spokesperson @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/EFrpAvnSaZ
— Ranji Sinha (@RanjiKIRO7) June 25, 2020
Around 5:30 a.m., a spokesperson for the Seattle Fire Department said the cause of the fire was under “high suspicion” because they’ve seen more than 10 intentionally set fires over the last 48 hours.
However, just before 9 a.m. fire officials said that after hearing from witnesses they are no longer considering it suspicious. A final ruling has not yet been determined.
Fire officials said the fire was under control around 6:30 a.m.
People were asked to avoid the area. Residents and businesses nearby were asked to close their windows to prevent smoke inhalation.
Here are more videos from the scene:
Just arrived @ 8th & S Lane St Seattle Chinatown International District CID where @SeattleFire still battling fire in what looks like an office building @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/LFuG26zFND
— Ranji Sinha (@RanjiKIRO7) June 25, 2020
Flames have burst through the roof @ Seattle CID fire as @SeattleFire tries to get this fire in a commercial building under control we are live @ 800 S Weller Chinatown International District @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/LwWa4Dc1PH
— Ranji Sinha (@RanjiKIRO7) June 25, 2020
Flames still visible @ fire in commercial building @ 8th Ave S & S Weller St @SeattleFire still responding to fire that broke out around 4:30 AM we are live on scene in Chinatown International district @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/rQREH0eJzX
— Ranji Sinha (@RanjiKIRO7) June 25, 2020
#BREAKING according to @SeattleFire residents in the area 815 S Weller St should close windows & doors to avoid smoke exposure - we are on scene as fire continues to rage through a building in Chinatown International Dist @KIRO7Seattle @ 6AM live pic.twitter.com/DVYX2HNGch
— Ranji Sinha (@RanjiKIRO7) June 25, 2020
Watched ceiling collapse & roof collapse @ fire in Seattle Chinatown International District @SeattleFire still trying to quell flames @ this commercial building, fire is gutting the inside & has burst through several points of the roof @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/8sUOH2dSoW
— Ranji Sinha (@RanjiKIRO7) June 25, 2020
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