For the Reporter
A business’s sprinkler system did exactly what it was designed to do Saturday when it activated due to a fire and sent out an alarm at 3:19 p.m. in the 400 block of South 96 Street.
Initially, a single fire engine was dispatched to the business, which paints millwork. While the firefighters were en route, 911 callers reported seeing flames and smoke from the roof of the business. The call was upgraded to a full commercial fire response, which added firefighters, apparatus, and command staff.
When firefighters arrived on scene they found smoke coming from smoke stacks on the roof of the single-story concrete tilt-up as well as smoke coming from under several roll-up doors. Because of the potential for a large fire hidden from firefighters as well as the extremely warm weather, the call was upgraded to a second –alarm, which brought additional apparatus from around the area.
Upon entering the building, firefighters found a fire which appears to have started in a paint booth. The sprinkler system had controlled the fire and firefighters extinguished it. The fire did not spread to other parts of the business, though there was smoke throughout that portion of the building. A total of 12 sprinkler heads activated due to the fire and heat.
The business was not occupied at the time of the fire and there were no reported injuries.
A King County Fire investigator is looking into the fire’s cause.
Departments which responded to the incident: North Highline FD,
Burien FD, Tukwila FD, Kent RFA, Seattle FD, King County Medic One, Rehab One, and King County Sheriff’s Office.
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