SEATTLE — Firefighters are still monitoring a fire that broke out at a vacant two-story building in Seattle's Chinatown-International District over 24 hours after it started.
Seattle Fire Department's 911 center first got a call about the fire on the 1000 block of South Jackson Street at 12:03 a.m. Heavy smoke and flames could be seen coming from the roof of the building.
The structure is the former Viet-Wah Supermarket, which closed in 2022.
More than 85 firefighters are responding to the fire to prevent it from spreading to surrounding structures. Crews are taking a "defensive attack," pouring water on the fire from the outside and from several ladder trucks in order to get at the flames from above.
It was unsafe for firefighters to go inside the building as it is vacant and they didn't know the structure's condition.
"I was honestly so terrified. I hoped we didn't have to evacuate, I thought it was going to explode or collapse," said Sekret Pam, a resident of an apartment nearby.
The westbound lanes of South Jackson Street remain closed between 10th and 12th Avenues.
King County Metro buses are still running in the area but riders should expect delayed service. Click here for rider alerts.
No injuries have been reported and the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Crews will be at the scene for several more hours until the fire is completely out and they can clear the building.
The number of vacant building fires has been on the rise over the last few years, with 130 last year.
Just last week, hours after a fatal fire, the Seattle City Council passed emergency legislation allowing the fire department to order demolitions of dangerous buildings that could put fire crews' lives at risk.
"Give them a pat on the back because they were out here for hours after hours, working hard to make sure we stay safe in this community
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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