Update: In comments, below, neighbors are suggesting ways to help.
Gary posted this to our Facebook page, saying: “View from my deck. The flames were taller than St Catherine’s, I could feel the heat from my deck. Glad everybody was OK and not hurt! Craziest fire I’ve seen in a residential fire. Reminded of the night Reckless burnt down along with the rest of the shops next to Snappy.
About 100 firefighters battled a two-alarm house fire overnight on Eighth Avenue Northeast.
Eighth remains closed this morning between Northeast 88th and 85th streets.
Our news partner The Seattle Times has the story here.
Embers spewing from the fires also started a blaze at a garage across an alley from the three homes. The heat was so intense that it blew out five windows at The St. Catherine of Siena School across the street.
KOMO TV has a story here, saying four homes were damaged.
A Go Fund Me account has been set up by the St Catherine community. Here is the link. Please pass it on to those who have inquired how they can help.
http://de.gofund.me/gibbonsfire
Yeah, thatll work. The Seattle Police wont even investigate when someone robs you and you see them with your own eyes. SPD is a joke. How many rape kits didnt get processed? How many home burglaries arent investigated? Car thefts and prowl? Ha. More grey hoodies to chase.
Look, a person in a grey hoodie and a gas can entered at 2:03 and ran out at 2:05!
Fire department is saying arson.
I live four houses from the corner. We woke up to an eerie orange glow out our window and ran out and called 911. This is what we saw when we walked out: https://flic.kr/p/wnXU4Z
With the push to increase residential density and all the new construction, IMHO, all new construction should be required to have video surveillance that gets stored in the cloud somewhere. The video should cover anyone entering or exiting the site and have night vision. It should be easier to catch arsonists and that would hopefully deter them.
Thanks for doing the research Maiya. That sounds like a great way to help out. It sounds like the church knows what the families need.
I called the church to see if they had any ideas on how to help the families in need. This is what they told me. There will be a prayer service on Monday July 27th at 6:30 pm at St Catherine’s Parish across the street from the Fires. They will collect any cash donations for the families that the community would like to make as well as any written well wishes for those affected. At this time the parish did not think the families needed clothing, food or other material items, but that could change in the coming weeks. I hope this is helpful to any of you that wish to contribute or just send a message of support and encouragement during this difficult time.
FYI- there will be a prayer service for the families and the community on Monday, July 27th at 6:30pm at St. Catherine Church, right across the street. Anyone is welcome!
There was another arson of a new construction home about a decade ago right around the corner from these homes….I wonder if there is a problem that someone has with new construction? If so this is not the way to Deal with that issue! Please find those responsible for this horrific situation. Is there a way to help the families? Can we collect goods and cash for them at the maple leaf summer social next week?
Just a clarificarion to a comment above …IF (and I sincerely hope not for so many reasons)…arson is to blame, Arson caused by someone unrelated and not under the direction of the policyholder IS covered by homeowners insurance. If this was caused by a party independent of our neighbors their policies will cover the loss. How can we help?
Please, someone share how we can help? Is there GoFundMe set up? Feel so bad for our fellow neighbors! Couldn’t imagine losing everything. So glad no one was hurt!
I just saw this this evening and feel awful. I’ve met the owner of the new house but not the others. The house to the south looks gutted. I feel so badly for them. Does anyone know them? Do they need a hand? Thanks
One of the firemen at the scene said if it’s accidental the developer’s insurance should cover, but homeowner’s insurance coverage excludes arson. Think about what the impacted neighbors are going through, wondering about the cause.
Arson?
I was also reminded of the big fire on Roosevelt (Reckless, Coffeeshop, etc) so many years ago… because… like that fire, I was woken up last night by the odor of smoke in my house (I live over on 4th, south of 85th). I had an eerie memory as I slowly woke up to that odor… got up and walked around and then saw many fire trucks on 5th, 85th, and 8th.
Heart goes out to those affected.
This is so heartbreaking for our Maple Leaf neighbors.
Also – what is the description of the missing cat? I will be on the lookout for it.
Please let us know what the families need. Clothes, food, toiletries, etc.
It’d would be great to set up something to help those affected. Perhaps a GoFundMe or something at the Social next week?
Please let us know if there’s anything we can do to our help our fellow neighbors.