Twelve injured in Seattle apartment building fire

05:16 PM PST on Wednesday, March 10, 2004

From KING / KING5.com Staff Reports

KING Twelve people were slightly injured in the fire.

SEATTLE - Twelve people, including three firefighters, were treated for minor smoke inhalation after a three-alarm fire broke out Wednesday morning at an apartment building that had been the site of another fire just six days earlier.

About 25 fire units responded to the blaze, first reported around 7:45 a.m. at the Jensonia apartments at Eighth and Seneca Street.

Firefighters evacuated the seven-floor 87-unit building, where billowing white smoke could be seen for miles. About nine people were treated for smoke inhalation, eight of whom were transported to Harborview Medical Center. None of the injuries were serious, said authorities.

Witnesses said some residents were clinging to windows trying to get out of the building.

"It looked like they kept hanging out further and further," said resident Heather Young. "Everyone down at the bottom was screaming 'don't jump, don't jump' because the smoke was just billowing out behind them just really, really thick. People were worried they couldn't breathe."

Firefighters used ladders to evacuate some people since smoke filled many of the stairwells, preventing many elderly residents from leaving the building.

KING About 25 fire units responded to the blaze.

Shots from Sky KING showed several firefighters on the roof attacking the blaze, which reportedly started on the sixth and seventh floors. Firefighters poured water and flame retardent on the blaze and contained the fire by 8:30 a.m.

Seneca Street between Minor and Summit streets were closed and traffic was being diverted. Drivers should brace for traffic congestion and should avoid the area if possible.

The Jensonia Building, built in the 1920s, was a former hotel and was reportedly undergoing renovations. It is the same building where a fire had occurred last Thursday. Two women and a man were treated for smoke inhalation after a fire started in a second-floor apartment. The building sustained about $250,000 worth of damage.

Last week's fire was ruled accidental. The Seattle Fire Department said the two fires appear unrelated, and also added the fire marshal's office had just evaluated the building a few days ago, finding all systems in order.

"They just made sure everyone was aware where the exits were and entrances, everything worked the way it should've today. The alarm system went off, the smoke detectors went off," said Helen Fitzpatrick of the Seattle Fire Dept.

A total of 94 residents were displaced by the fire. The Red Cross was working to find temporary shelter for about 20 residents. Where their pets were to go is another story. Red Cross worker said the pets would not be allowed in the temporary shelters.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.