After receiving reports of an explosion, the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) is evacuating an apartment building on 1st Avenue North on Wednesday morning.
Around 9:30 a.m., the SFD reported that firefighters arrived at an apartment building in the 100 block of 1st Avenue North and discovered a victim with critical injuries.
Police and Hazmat crews respond to explosion at Seattle apartment building
According to the SFD, 911 callers within the building reported hearing an explosion within a basement unit.
As a precaution, firefighters are evacuating the building, and Seattle police and HazMat crews are on the scene. Police are investigating the explosion.
According to SFD, firefighters on the scene are treating one patient who is in serious condition. No active fire was found at this time. The SFD tweeted that paramedics transported the patient to a hospital.
The fire department also established a 1-block perimeter around the apartment building. Only fire and law enforcement personnel are allowed as a safety precaution.
Large SPD & SFD response near 1st Ave and Denny. 1 block perimeter established. Use alternate routes and expect delays. pic.twitter.com/LydtentRfi
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) April 19, 2023
The SPD instructed residents to stay out of the area and to expect traffic delays. Additionally, drivers should use alternate routes, the Seattle Department of Transportation said.
NOW: view from an @SDOTtraffic camera of 1st and Denny in downtown Seattle where I just watched firefighters tape off this stretch of road. Large fire and police response. #komonews pic.twitter.com/1JeEzdDp6Y
— Kelly Koopmans (@KellyKOMO4) April 19, 2023
At 10 a.m. today, a significant emergency response was reported at the intersection of Denny Way and Warren Avenue North, The Seattle Times reported.
Eyewitnesses reported the presence of five fire crews and several police cars at the scene. Further details about the incident are not yet available.
Fireworks mishandling results in Seattle apartment explosion and one hand injury: police
According to Detective Judinna Gulpan of the SPD, the explosion was caused by a man handling fireworks, resulting in an injury to his hand.
Gulpan noted that the injury was not life-threatening. And the man received medical attention from officers and medics before being taken to Harborview Medical Center.
As a precautionary measure, the SPD’s arson bomb squad is at the location to ensure there are no other hazardous materials inside the residence, Komo News reported.
Officials are not concerned about the neighboring gas station, said Gulpan. The investigation into the incident is still ongoing, as stated by the detective.
After entering the building, fire crews discovered smoke in the hallway of the basement unit where the man lived, The Seattle Times reported. David Cuerpo, a public information officer at the fire department, confirmed that they did not come across any active fire.
“When they went into the patient’s apartment unit in that building, they may have seen what appeared to be some type of hazard. We’re trying to identify what that hazard is right now,” Cuerpo said.
The area around the scene has been cordoned off by police tape, with a two-block radius affected by road closures extending from John Street to Western Avenue and Eagle Street. Drivers traveling north on First Avenue are being redirected to Eagle Street due to the closure.
The SPD and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosions are investigating the incident.
