On Tuesday afternoon, July 23, 2024, firefighters responded to the scene of a residential fire in the 11600 block of 23rd Ave SW in Burien’s Shorewood neighborhood (map below).

Multiple fire crews showed up to find the house ablaze after a 12:30 p.m. 911 call.

An Amazon driver saw smoke during a delivery from one street over, then drove around the block to knock on the door of the burning home to see if anyone was there. After no answer and a large fire already burning on the backside of the home he made the decision to kick in the door. It was at that time one of the homeowners came running up the street having been on a walk with the family dog. 

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911 was called and the first arriving fire engine found heavy fire involvement on the back side of the house. Flames had climbed the exterior walls of the house and got into the attic space. Additional responding units were given tasks on arrival. One of those tasks was to cut a hole in the roof. Upon completing the cut, 15-foot flames could be seen coming through the roof. 

Heavy fire involvement, lathe and plaster construction, and a metal roof were all obstacles to a quick extinguishment. 

Ladder 329 extended their ladder (the stick) and flowed water from an aerial vantage to help eventually get the flames under control. 

“It does appear the fire began somewhere below the elevated deck and extended into the home,” Ray Desmarais, Assistant Chief for King County Fire District No. 2 told The B-Town Blog.

No residents or firefighters were harmed during this fire.

Cause and origin of the fire are under investigation.

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