(Update: July 17, 2020, at 3:45 p.m.)
EVERETT, WA - Everett Fire Investigators, Everett Police Detectives, and the ATF returned to the fire scene this morning to continue their investigation. Detectives are looking for information that may help them determine the cause and nature of the fire. We are asking for the community’s help with this by sharing their photos, videos, and audio with detectives. Members of the public can upload any of their media at https://everettpd-wa.evidence.com/axon/citizen/public/2020-66971.
There were multiple secondary fire scenes last night. While crews were battling the initial blaze in the 1300 block of W Marine View Drive, other crews were actively fighting brush fires and property fires in the 1400-1700 block of Grand Avenue and Rucker Avenue. These fires started from ignited debris and embers ranging in the size of a dime to a softball. Property such as decks, tops of cars, and roofs were catching fire as the ignited debris was falling from the sky. Firefighters quickly extinguished at least two residents that caught fire from falling debris while neighbors were actively protecting their property or extinguishing small spot fires with their garden hose or buckets of water.
An early conservative estimate of damages for just the site of the primary fire is between $25-30 million. This estimate does not include damage to the north structure that is still standing at the site or any other structure or property damage across W Marine View Drive or the residential area on Grand Avenue and Rucker Avenue.
The Everett Firefighter, who suffered a minor burn to his hand, was treated at the hospital and released last night.
Three Everett Fire apparatus – a ladder truck, a fire engine, and an aid car – are being evaluated for damage sustained from the heat of the fire.
Investigators and detectives estimate it will take them a week to process the fire scene. The onsite construction company is assisting investigators by supplying the heavy equipment and licensed operators to help move debris while the scene is processed. A fire engine remains on the scene to address any hot spots. It is too soon to know the cause and origin of the fire.
There will be no updates provided over the weekend.
###
(Original Release – July 17, 2020, at 2:37 a.m.)
EVERETT, WA – Thursday evening, around 5:45 p.m., Everett Fire responded to a 4-alarm fire at the Waterfront Place Apartments, which are currently under construction in the 1300 block of W Marine View Drive. Multiple 9-1-1 callers reported a fast-moving fire at one of the buildings under construction. Fire units arrived to find one of the two buildings, the south building, fully engulfed with fire, which was rapidly spreading. Defensive tactics were established to fight the fire.
Fire and embers were blown in an easterly direction across W Marine View Drive, which started trees and brush on fire along the bluff above W Marine View Drive. Embers started a roof and attic fire to a home in the 1600 block of Rucker Avenue. Flying embers also caused smaller spot fires around 16th and Grand Avenue and 16th and Rucker Avenue. Firefighters worked hard to get the house fire and the spot fires under control and prevent them from spreading to other homes.
There were two fire apparatus, a ladder truck and an aid car that sustained damage due to the intense heat of the fire. The heat caused the ladder truck’s windows to blow out, and both rigs were burned, and components melted or warped on each vehicle. One firefighter received minor burns to his hand as he was moving the aid car to prevent further damage to the apparatus. He was transported to Providence Regional Medical Center for treatment.
For safety reasons, the power was cut in the area by Snohomish County PUD, while firefighters worked the fire, which has since been restored.
The trains were stopped in the vicinity of the fire. Everett Fire and BNSF maintained contact to ensure there were no safety concerns.
This 4-alarm fire exhausted all available resources within Snohomish County to help at the fire. There were 53 fire apparatuses and approximately 73 fire personnel on the scene to help battle this blaze. Mutual aid was provided by South Snohomish Fire and Rescue, Mukilteo Fire, Marysville Fire District, Arlington Fire Department, Snohomish County Airport Fire Department, Naval Station Everett Fire, and Snohomish County Fire Districts #4, #7, and #22. Additionally, a Task Force consisting of Bothell Fire Department, Northshore Fire Department, Woodinville Fire and Rescue, and Shoreline Fire Department responded to help staff the fire stations in Everett and respond to 9-1-1 calls for service. Everett Police assisted with traffic control. We want to thank all of our mutual aid partners and neighbors who helped us during this fire.
Fire apparatus will remain overnight to address any hot spots that may flare-up.
Fire investigators from the Everett Fire Department, Everett Police Department, and the ATF will partner together to investigate the fire due to the high dollar amount of damage. It is too soon to know what caused the fire.
There will be no early morning update on this fire. Information will be updated as it becomes available.
###