Fire destroys apartment building in Seattle's Central District

SEATTLE – A fire that destroyed an apartment building in the Central District Thursday is believed to have started from someone discarding smoking materials on the front porch, the Seattle Fire Department said.

Witness David Knirk said he was walking by the neighborhood when he saw the flames and began recording video on his smartphone. The video captures flames tearing through the two-story apartment on 27th Avenue, near Cherry Street.

The fire broke out just before 5 p.m. Thursday, according to the Seattle Fire Department.  Smoke and flames could even be seen from miles away. Witnesses said firefighters rushed to keep the flames from spreading to trees and other structures. It quickly became two-alarms as firefighters didn’t just battle the fire but the heat.



Firefighters say everyone inside escaped uninjured, and they were able to save a dog and three cats.

A crew from the Seattle Fire Departments said they will be monitoring this scene for hot spots through the night and into Friday morning.

Five families are now homeless, and the building is expected to be a total loss, the department said.