Strolling down to Dunn Lumber on Sunday morning, I was shocked to see a charred facade where our neighbor’s house at 4019 4th Ave NE had stood unscathed just days ago. It was especially disturbing because I know that it was a duplex with newborn twins living on the second floor.
So it was a relief to hear from Scott today that while it was serious, everybody got out safely:
Friday night, we settled in to bed and were awoken at 4:20 am Saturday, when Kim got up for a glass of water, smelled smoke, saw fire from outside the window and yelled, “Scott the house is on fire! The house is on FIRE! Grab a baby!”
We grabbed them from their cribs and hustled down to the 2nd floor (our main floor) and realized the exit stairway was in flames. Smoke was pouring into the living room. I kicked out the air conditioner then realized the window in the kitchen was closer to the escape ladder. I pushed out the screen, smoke was pouring into the kitchen… I leaned out and saw a random person climbing up the escape ladder.
Kim was yelling, “Help! Help!” I handed him one baby, then took him back as I had no idea who this guy was and doubted his ability on the ladder with my baby. I leaned as far as I could, holding my boy by one hand, looked at Shane, he said, “I’m ready,” and I dropped my boy. He was relieved, then realized he had to catch a second baby. Then I climbed out, followed by Kim.
I was naked as I sometimes sleep in the nude. Before yesterday, I had sometimes pondered, as I fell asleep, what I would do in case of an emergency when I had to flee my home. Now I know what I would do.
The downstairs tenant was frantically unraveling a garden hose and trying to spray out the fire. The neighbor did a double take as he was unraveling a hose (I was naked). Shane gave the shirt off his back to cover up. The neighbors invited us inside.
I spoke with the Seattle Fire Department medic to confirm we were all out and not injured from smoke inhalation. I spoke with the first floor tenant and our basement neighbor. Everyone was out safely, including our neighbor’s guests and his cat. The babies pajamas smelled like smoke but then they fell back asleep.
The SFD continued to put out the fire which had spread from the porch to the structure. It was likely sped by the vinyl siding.
Kim’s glasses in the bathroom were completely melted except for the titanium frames. The baby stroller was burned out and the wheels melted. My camera bag was melted but the camera seems to be functioning. My laptop makes some noise but won’t start up and the inputs are melted.
We’ve contacted our insurance, but it’s limited, and have begun the slow journey of replacing some items. […]
Thanks for the support and prayers and well wishes. It’s crazy and makes me grateful for our beautiful babies and my wonderful partner, Kimberly.
If you’d like to help, post here and we’ll see what we can do to get supplies to Scott, Kim and their girls. Also, they’re staying with family at the moment, but if anyone knows of a two bedroom space available, they’re looking.
(Somehow, the midst of the chaos, Scott managed to take some photos.)
We have a spare stroller and I can dig around if there is anything else you need.
I am glad everyone got out safely. Does anyone know the cause of the fire?
Hi – I am not sure how old the girls are, but we have plenty of books, toys, clothes, etc… they could choose from. Our girls are 4 and 3 but pretty big for their age (size 5/6 and 4/4T). Happy to help anyway we can. We live on 44th & Latona.
I would be happy to dig through my (small amount) of remaining baby items in case there is something that could help this family. (I know I have a Moby and maybe a few other items.) It would be helpful to know what their needs are.
Also, just saw a sign up for a two bedroom rental in west Fremont at 3rd NW and NW 41st. Doesn’t look incredibly nice, though.
So glad to hear everyone got out and no one, especially the babies, was injured. But, after reading Scott’s report, who is “Shane”?
Shane was a guest of the first floor tenant who had exited and heard our calls for help from the 2nd floor. He said he could catch the babies. I said, “Are you sure?” He said he was a punt returner in high school, after we had exited, and that those were the 2 most important catches he’d ever made.
Thanks Shane!
This is terrifying, relieved that nobody was injured. I have 2 carseats that snap into a double snap ‘n go (worked great for my twins up until around 10 months old), if a stroller system is needed.
Glad to hear everybody is safe! While most of our newborn and 0-3 m clothes have already been given away, we have spare 6-12 month clothes, hats, coats, some toys, books, small bottles, blankets and such.
So scary. Do you need kitchen items? Womens clothing/ Blankets? Towels?
We’ve got a nice 2-bedroom basement apartment available at 43rd and 1st. It is occupied through Sunday 9/25, but can offer it to the family after that. We can outfit it with pack and plays for the kids. Feel free to email me: [email protected] or call/text me at 206-794-0189.
Thank you very much for the offer Don. I will reach out to you by phone.
We have a double side by side stroller for older twins (at least 6 mo and sitting up. It’s a cheaper umbrella stroller but works in a pinch. I’d be happy to give it to them. Our twins are 3 yo and don’t really care for the stroller anymore. We also have a white changing table and cribs too if need be.
Thank you! We have replaced the baby’s stroller and BabiesRUs was very kind in extending the benefit that we had from our baby registry. The funds had expired on 9/16. Thank you BabiesRUs in Lynnwood.
I’m so glad everyone is safe!! If you find yourself in need of anything for your twins, please reach out or if you guys would like to come over sometime for dinner and see how life is with 3 yo b/g twins 😉 we’d love to meet some more parents of twins.
Early Sunday morning, someone broke into the basement of the house and stole camping gear, a backpack and a new TV in its box. While hearing this story from the displaced resident (I didn’t get his name), he received a call from a friend telling him that the stolen items including the TV box were at the encampment on the freeway exit at 47th. while he was on the phone, I dialed 911 for him on my phone. It was obviously tricky trying to communicate the situation with the operator. He left to go to the site and I’ve no idea of the outcome. I do hope he was able to retrieve his belongings AND I hope that the police caught the thieves (though how do they ‘punish the ‘homeless’? fines? jail?
He was from one of two other apartments aside from the young family whose occupants are burned out of their home and household. I’ve no idea where they have gone or what their needs are beyond new apartments. I have various household items that I’d be glad to give to these folks. I hope they are getting help.
Jordan, do you have any contacts with them. Will there be a ‘Go Fund Me’ sort of project that the neighborhood might use to contribute toward their recovery? We all feel so badly for their tragic loss.
You don’t punish the homeless. They’re just down on their luck and probably enjoying taking pictures with their new cameras.
the above comment is the kind of comment which serves no purpose.
Its purpose was to elicit a response. Good evening.
No thanks.
Losing everything in a fire makes me thankful for what is most important in my life… my family. We have the means to replace personal effects that were lost in the fire. I look forward to camping as a family in the future and would have used my camping gear but we can replace the items that were stolen.
Hi Wallyhood Neighbors,
Thanks for the outpouring of support. As Jordan relayed, Kimberly, the twins (one boy, one girl) and I are safe. We are processing the heavy emotions that come with this tragedy. We lost nearly everything per the Fire Fighters who wore SCBA breathing gear when going back inside the unit. The firefighters were able to retrieve my keys (with a melted key fob), our wallets with melted credit cards but intact IDs, some jewelry valuables and important paper documents that were in a fire proof folder. We haven’t been inside the unit as the stairs are destroyed and the only access is back through the fire escape… which the looters probably used to enter the unit.
The house was looted at some point on Saturday evening. The Basement studio unit had multiple items stolen and we had a bike and camping gear stolen from the basement storage space. The bike was a KHS Flite 500 in white. Keep an eye out for it. We haven’t been inside to see if any of the fire damaged, melted or smoke damaged remains were stolen in the looting.
We have obtained gifts of baby clothes, diapers, formula and baby bottles.
We have replaced their car seats and stroller and bought some outfits for them.
Kim and I have both bought a couple of outfits, underwear, socks, toiletries, new sneakers and jackets. The weather is calling for rain, so I may purchase a rain jacket from REI.
We are looking for permanent housing and are very grateful for the offer from a neighbor for temporary housing. We have family in Seattle that we are currently rooming with.
Please hug your love your loved ones!
Thanks, Scott & Kim