UPDATE: Ballard house fire caused by overheated electrical wiring

Update: Corrie Frasier, whose home burned in the fire, wrote us a note thanking the community for supporting them through their ordeal.

From Frasier:

On Sunday, my husband, son, and I lost our home to an electrical fire. We’re still trying to wrap our heads around the accident, but had to take a moment to express our gratitude to this exceptional community. Thank you…

• To the fire fighters from Ballard, Crown Hill and Northgate who kept the flames confined to the second floor.  We’ve always known that fire fighters are brave, but they are also deeply, deeply human. They salvaged boxes of photos and special mementos, took time to explain what they were doing to our son and the neighborhood kids, and kept watch for the last 24 hours to make sure no new damage was done.
• To the community at Loyal Heights Elementary, who have rallied around our son and our family.  Our accident feels very small after the tragic loss last week of our schoolmate. And yet the outpouring of help, concern, and good will has been extraordinary.
• To our amazing neighbors and friends, who have fed and housed us, watched for our cats to come home, and offered us solace, laughter, showers, and clean laundry.

We’re still trying to coax our kitty Batman to come home—if anyone sees a lonely and scared black cat with white paws & a stubby tail, please do let us know.

We also want to remind everyone to check your smoke detectors and make sure you have plenty throughout your house—my husband heard our smoke alarm before he smelled the smoke, and without that warning, we might be in a very different spot today.

As one of our dear friends put it: “There’s people and there’s stuff. You guys lost some stuff but still have your people, nothing else really matters.” We will be forever be indebted to our people here in Ballard.

Original post: Residents escaped a house fire in the 2800 block of NW 75th St. yesterday, which was determined to be caused by overheated electrical wiring in a second-floor crawl space.

Video courtesy Jason Hall

The Seattle Fire Department responded to the 911 call at about 3 p.m. on Sunday. Kyle Moore from the Seattle Fire says firefighters arrived to find all occupants evacuated and smoke coming from a second floor bedroom. “Firefighters raced hose line into the house while a Ladder Company cut holes in the roof to provide ventilation and release of the built up smoke and gases in the house,” according to Moore. “The flames extended into the walls, crawl spaces, attic and roof of the house.” In less than 20 minutes, firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze.

Moore says one occupant was evaluated for minor smoke inhalation, but did not need to be transported for more medical attention. Total damage to the home was estimated at $50,000 to the contents and $100,000 to the structure.