A three-alarm fire damaged a commercial building Thursday evening near the Ballard-Fremont border, prompting a response from more than 100 firefighters and support personnel.
According to the Seattle Fire Department, dispatchers received 911 calls reporting smoke and flames from a commercial building in the 800 block of N.W. 42nd St. at 5:17 p.m. Engine 18, the closest responding unit, reported seeing a large column of black smoke while approaching the scene and confirmed a working commercial fire upon arrival.
Fire officials said the blaze was wind-driven and escalated quickly. At 5:26 p.m., the response was upgraded to a two-alarm fire, bringing additional units to the scene. Firefighters later shifted to a defensive strategy, retreating from the structure and fighting the fire from outside the building.
The response was upgraded again to a three-alarm fire at 5:36 p.m. as crews worked to contain the flames. Shortly afterward, the roof on the south side of the building collapsed.
Because of the building’s proximity to the Lake Washington Ship Canal, Seattle Fire dispatched Fireboat 1 to assist. The fireboat pumped water directly from the canal and supplied engines and ladder trucks with a continuous water source.
Seattle Fire reported the fire was brought under control by 7:39 p.m., and some responding units were able to return to service.
One firefighter suffered a minor injury and was evaluated by an aid crew. No hospital transport was required.
The department said more than 100 firefighters responded to the incident, along with aid units, medic units, command staff and support personnel.
An Alert Seattle notification was sent to nearby residents and businesses advising them to close doors and windows because of smoke in the area.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Seattle Fire said crews would remain on scene overnight to monitor for hot spots and potential flare-ups.