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Ballard Neighborhood Fire Displaces 50, Injures 4 April 7, 2000 Seattle Fire Departments units began responding to 5400 22nd Ave NW, in the heart of Ballard, at 1916 PST, to the report of fire in a building. The building turned out to be a mixed-use structure consisting of two stories of residential at the top and commercial on the main floor. Speculators on the ground suggested that the cause of the fire was careless smoking. Injuries reported include two fire fighters, including a new member of the SFD, Jason Bange, who experienced the collapse of an aerial unit while the ladder was extended. Another member was forced to bail out of the structure through a third-story window. Two residents were injured as a result of the fire: A 60 year-old man is reported to have suffered burns over 20% of his body and another was treated on-scene for injuries sustained from broken glass. Information from within the organization appears to indicate that there were failures of aerial equipment which was deployed on the fire ground and that the failures are now under investigation. Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Shiela Strehle informs me that the fire fighter who was forced to ride the ladder down when it collapsed suffered a broken toe, facial injuries, and a shoulder abrasion. Lt. Yob, the fire fighter who was forced to escape the structure while conducting primary search, suffered back injuries. Another firefighter was evaluated at Harborview Medical Center for back stiffness and released. Our thanks to these fire fighters who are willing to lay their lives on the line to preserve our city and protect our citizens. Strehle states that the Department is investigating the reason(s) for the collapse of the aerial unit, using an "outside aerial ladder expert to help us, examining maintenance records and interviewing firefighters involved in the incident, examining the apparatus, etc. We have also pulled two similar RESERVE aerial ladders out of service (leaving the trucks in-service) until we can determine that they are safe. NONE of the units involved are first-line fire units. They are reserves used only as a backup. We do not anticipate any significant impacts on our level of service to the community as a result of pulling these ladders, since all of our daily response ladders are newer and different construction and will continue to respond to emergencies in the City." SFD's Alarm Center reports the following units were dispatched to the scene:
*While the Communications Van was dispatched, it was, in fact, out of service for upgrades. ** AF 18 (Attack Force 18) consisted of L8 and AU18. *** AF 17 consisted of L9 and AU17 Mutual Aid units were observed on-scene from Mercer Island, Bellevue and Kirkland. A special thanks to these units for their assistance. A follow-up story can be found at No Excuses, Only Explanations - April 5, 2000. Luckiest Day in Seattle Fire Department's History? Pictures from the Scene
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