ARSON TAKES HOUSE UNDER CONSTRUCTION. This apartment building, still under construction on California Avenue north of the Junction, was destroyed by arson last Friday morning just after midnight. Flames shot high in the air, and could be seen for miles. Nearby apartment residents were evacuated. Three firefighters were injured but none had life-threatening injuries. Photo by Jason Gift Enevoldsen.
Seattle Police are investigating the purposeful burning of a three-story apartment building under construction north of the Junction.
Firefighters were called to California Avenue near Genesee Street at 12:42 a.m. Aug. 17 and found the partly built structure enveloped in flames. A new building behind the main structure also was on fire, said Helen Fitzpatrick, Seattle Fire Department spokeswoman. Damage costs were estimated at approximately $650,000.
Two firefighters were injured battling the blaze and taken to Harborview Medical Center. One suffered an arm injury while another became dehydrated.
Three apartments in the building south of the fire were evacuated out of concern that the burning structure might collapse on the building next door.
There was damage to the building north of the fire, but that structure is scheduled for demolition, Fitzpatrick said.
Firefighters discovered evidence of arson so the follow-up investigation is being pursued by the Seattle Police Department.
