Updated 5 p.m.: One person has died in a two-alarm fire at Green Lake Plaza at 505 NE 70th St., just over the freeway from Maple Leaf. The facility is a Seattle Housing Authority residence for low income and disabled seniors.
Seattle Fire Department spokeswoman Helen Fitzpatrick said they believe the fire started in a 7th floor unit, climbing up the outside the 11-story building to blow out a window on the 8th floor. Many residents were evacuated, and others were “sheltered in place” a safe distance from the fire.
Fitzpatrick said they believe the fatality occurred inside the 7th floor unit (above). There’s no word on the person’s identity.
We spoke to one of the residents of the building who tells us he believes the unit where the fire started is home to a wheelchair-bound man in his late 70s. “He wouldn’t be able to get out very quickly,” said Steve, a longtime resident. “He can’t walk at all, and he can’t stand.” Steve said that fire alarms went off “every week or two,” and that smoke detectors are everywhere in the facility.
The first call came out before 1:30 p.m. and the fire was knocked down just after 1:45 p.m. The fire was clearly visible from the freeway, slowing traffic, and smoke could be seen throughout much of North Seattle.
The fire attracted dozens of onlookers who watched as firefighters converged on Green Lake from as far away as Ballard. “The firefighters did a really good job keeping the fire confined to that unit,” Fitzpatrick said, explaining that after carbon monoxide tests are completed, the majority of residents should be able to return to their homes today.
KING 5’s helicopter captured the scene from the air (click to play):
Plus: See more coverage from MyGreenLake as well as SeattleTimes.com.
