Ballard warehouse catches fire

Firefighters were forced to retreat from a warehouse fire Thursday evening in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood.

The plume of smoke rose above the Ship Canal shortly after 5 p.m. and could be seen from all over the city. Firefighters and vehicles surrounded the building on Northwest 42nd Street, dousing it with water. Due to the smoke, residents within a half-mile radius were cautioned to close their windows and doors.

Seattle Fire Department spokesperson David Cuerpo said the incident at Consolidated Supply Co., a plumbing supply business, was upgraded to a three-alarm fire, meaning it posed a danger for those in the building and responding firefighters. Such large fires are rare in Seattle.

Cuerpo said wind exacerbated the flames and firefighters had to use a defensive strategy, spraying water on the building from a safe distance.

"That wind picked up and really caused it to spread quickly," said department spokesperson Kaila Lafferty, talking to media at the scene. Crews were forced to pull out of the building.

Shortly after, the roof collapsed. Some windows were blown out as well.

There was at least one person in the building who reported the fire, but no one was inside when crews searched it, Lafferty said. One firefighter had a minor injury.

Fifteen engines responded along with nine ladder trucks, totaling over 100 firefighters. With such a large response, pressure dropped in some areas and a fire boat had to pump water from the Ship Canal for responders.

Damage was contained to the plumbing supply building, Lafferty said.

What caused the fire remains unclear. Investigators will enter the building once it's safe, she said. Firefighters expected to remain on the scene until late Thursday night.

Across the yellow caution tape, spectators gathered to watch the response.

Susan Robinet was touring an office space in the neighboring building when she saw flames licking up the bottom third of the warehouse. She called 911 and hunkered in her car while firefighters arrived.

"That's a shame, she said. "It's a very busy building.

Seattle Times staff reporter Shauna Sowersby contributed to this story.

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