The fire was found on the first floor of the vacant Boeing building. Photo courtesy of Puget Sound Fire Authority.

The fire was found on the first floor of the vacant Boeing building. Photo courtesy of Puget Sound Fire Authority.

Crews extinguish Renton fire in vacant Boeing building

Two unhoused people and a dog were found unharmed on the roof of the building in June 11 fire

  • By Bailey Jo Josie bailey.jo.josie@rentonreporter.com
  • Wednesday, June 14, 2023 1:16pm
  • Northwest

Local firefighters put out a fire in an abandoned Boeing building in Renton on Sunday evening, June 11, later finding two unhoused people and a dog on the roof of the building.

Firefighting crews from Renton Regional Fire Authority, Puget Sound Fire, Skyway Fire and Eastside Fire responded to a two-alarm commercial fire after 6 p.m. on Sunday when the weekend’s rainy weather was beginning to dissipate.

When fire crews arrived, they found a thick, smoldering fire on the first floor of the vacant Boeing office building near North Sixth Street and Park Avenue North. After extinguishing the fire, crews found that the smoke rose to the other floors of the seven-story building and investigated further.

“They did a floor-by-floor search and found the two people and the dog on the roof of the building,” said Puget Sound Fire spokesperson Pat Pawlak. “They were escorted down where Renton police released them and they went on their way.”

The two men and the dog found on the roof received no injuries from the smoke or fire and fire crews were able to control the smoke and were able to leave the scene after three hours.

According to Renton Fire, an investigation found that the fire was intentionally set and resulted in an estimated $100,000 worth of damage.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

Low visibility from smoke made it so firefighting crews were not able to locate the fire right away. Photo courtesy of Puget Sound Fire Authority.

Low visibility from smoke made it so firefighting crews were not able to locate the fire right away. Photo courtesy of Puget Sound Fire Authority.

More in Northwest

Gov. Inslee announces the $45 million EV rebate program on April 23. Courtesy image
Governor announces rebate program for EV purchases

Washington is the first state to prioritize low-cost leases for electric vehicles.

U.S. Courthouse in Seattle. COURTESY PHOTO, U.S. Department of Justice
Federal Way man pleads guilty to assaulting woman on flight

Man accused of inappropriately touching a female passenger.

t
Construction begins on new Valley Cancer Center in Renton

Renton’s Valley Medical Center serves over 600,000 residents throughout South King County.

Auburn Police Officer Jeffrey Nelson. COURTESY FILE PHOTO
Jury selection begins in Auburn Police officer’s trial

Jeffrey Nelson faces charges of murder and assault for 2019 killing of Jesse Sarey.

Phil Fortunato
Auburn’s Phil Fortunato announces secretary of state run

District 31 Republican senator wants to test Washington’s voting registration system for weaknesses.

Food in a foam takeout container. Sound Publishing file photo
Foam coolers, takeout containers will be banned in WA

The prohibition on the sale and distribution of these products will take effect June 1 under a law the Legislature approved in 2021.

t
Federal Way Public Market concept receives $75,000 for study

The home of the envisioned project is off South 320th Street and 23rd Avenue South.

t
Suspected DUI crash in Renton injures three; cars engulfed in flames

Wrong-way driver incident along Interstate 405 on April 14

t
Teen dies in fatal Renton shooting

A 16-year-old suspect was arrested in April 14 incident

Sixty-one orange traffic barrels were set up April 2, 2024, on the WSDOT front lawn in Olympia. Each cone represents a fallen WSDOT employee killed on the job since 1950 - many in active work zones. The visual display is meant to remind everyone of the importance of slowing down in work zones. Photo courtesy of Washington State Department of Transportation.
WSDOT: Slow down for Work Zone Awareness Week

The number of fatal crashes in marked work zones had doubled in 2023 when compared to the previous year.

Courtesy Photo, Renton Police
Renton increases hiring bonus for new police officers

Bonus is a $20,000 payment upon hire and $20,000 payment upon completion of a one year probation.

LivAway Suites broke ground near Topgolf in Renton. Courtesy image
Extended-stay hotel breaks ground in Renton

LivAway Suites to be built near Topgolf, Boeing and The Landing.