Helicopters are flying overhead and Seattle 911 reports a fire at 1624 N. 45th St (the building directly behind Kitaro Bento Sushi). We’ll keep you posted with details as we get them.
Update 6:47 pm Eyewitnesses tell us that it’s actually the building behind Kitaro and not the restaurant. The fire seems to be under control but we have folks tweeting that flames can still be seen on the roof.
Update 7:14 pm. KOMO news is reporting that there are no injuries from the fire. Here’s a link to their earlier video footage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuTCaUOz3Tg&feature=youtu.be
Follow us on Twitter: @wallyhood for up to the minute information and I’ll post another update here in a bit.
Update 7:48pm: Rich Hansen sent us this picture from the fire.
More photos of the fire, courtesy of Alex Garland, can be seen on Flikr and in the slideshow below:
Here’s what the building looked like in daylight, before the fire. Looking at the pictures sent by our readers, massive damage occurred in the second story of the building directly behind Kitaro.
I just went by there on the bus. It was very serious, the building was engulfe in flames. It was in the building next to Molly Moon’s, and it looked quite capable of spreading to the surrounding buildings before the fire department got there. I saw lots of trucks heading that way a moment later, and hopefully more coming.
I hope everyone is ok and there are no injuries.
Kitaro Sushi Bento
That’s what at the address of the fire.
There were firefighters on the roof of the sushi place as well as the dental place next door – looked like they were maybe putting out hot spots on the dental roof. So sad- I hate to see this happen, particularly around the holiday times.
As I was turning off 45th at Stone, the news vultures (Komo, et al) were arriving. Glad the helicopters are gone though.
Is everyone safe? KOMO just said no injuries reported, but the Seattle Fire dispatch page is showing two chaplains dispatched to the scene at 6:26.
@Neil, I’m getting conflicting reports and I’ll post as soon as I get confirmation. Thanks.
As far as I can see, no injuries. I know there aren’t any at the dentist’s office since I saw them all standing outside.
I ran into one of the chaplains as she was parking in front of St Benedicts School and I asked her if someone had died. She said she didn’t know but that it’s routine for the chaplain to be called for a fire of that size (2 or 3-alarm, I think she said).
Seattle Times says it’s under control:
http://today.seattletimes.com/2011/12/fire-crews-battle-blaze-at-wallingford-business/
so no, no one died and I don’t think anyone was seriously injured either. just major property damage, thankfully.
If you hear how we can help the occupant(s) – donations, clean-up, etc. – please let us know.
Agreed on the helping @10. According to Molly Moon’s Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/mollymoonicecream, not only were they undamaged but they’re open. Kudos to the fire department–having lived near a building that went up in flames in Cap. Hill a few years ago I’m again amazed that they’re able to save buildings that are only a few feet apart and seem certain to catch fire. One of the many reasons I’m happy to pay my taxes!
Thanks for letting us know, avatar. And yes, as soon as we hear something about helping out, we’ll let you know.
One of the news channels indicated that the occupant of the house was an elderly woman. Not sure if she has family nearby, but if not, she’ll undoubtedly need a lot a lot of help.
And yes, SFD was awesome. I appreciate my government services. Imagine if this were Tennesee where if the bill isn’t paid, the house doesn’t get saved….
Thanks Wallyhood. Glad to know everyone is ok.