Sunday, October 25, 2009

Three Alarm Fire in Greenwood


Fire in Greenwood
Photo & Text Copyright 2009 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.
A huge fire broke out in the wee hours of Friday morning in the heart of the Greenwood neighborhood on N 85th Street near Greenwood Ave.  Four popular businesses were distroyed and Taproot Theater Company suffered heavy smoke and water damage. Around the corner firefighters rescued all the cats in the abutting PAWs pet adoption center and they've been safely transported to PAWS Lynwood facility. Please visit the newsblog "PhinnyWood" for full coverage from flames to cleanup, including video. Three of the four businesses that were gutted were family owned and operated, and the four combined employed about 40 people. More photos at More Seattle Stuff.

I heard about this from a friend who is a patron of Taproot Theater. Yesterday would have been closing night of their current production of "Enchanted April." The neighborhood is in shock, but very grateful for the great work of the fire department and that no one was harmed. I am wishing everyone affected by this well.

11 comments:

Hilda said...

I very glad that no one was hurt too! But I hope that all the businesses that were gutted and damaged recover quickly.

Pat said...

This area is one of my favorites....there used to be a really good thrift shop nearby....and lots of nice restaurants. So sorry, but glad nonone was hurt.

brattcat said...

My sympathies to all concerned. Fire is so devastating. I hope something equally wonderful rises from the ashes.

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

Glad there were no casualties. When we had a house fire in Arizona, the first thing my wife did after calling 911 was to rescue the cats.

I caught up after a few days away from your site. Your photo of Seattle at night was stunning. Magical.

Anil P said...

Terrible thing to happen. Good to know that none was hurt. I do hope the family owned businesses are back on their feet soon.

Chuck Pefley said...

Sad about the Taproot ... been a few years, but P & I enjoyed their productions.

I hope your B'day candles weren't the cause of this -:)))

Kim said...

Sweet Hilda, it's just like you to be so thoughtful for others!

Bibi, the thrift and antique shops are still a going concern safely across the street from the building that housed the businesses that burned. The shopkeepers and business people in this retail core of the neighborhood really are a tight knit, community minded group of business folks, mostly small businesses, and lots of friendly owners. When something like this happens, its nice to know those who suffered damage have such a strong support network to cheer them on through the hard times.

Brattcat, I'm adding my hopes to yours. I think the community cares about these businesses and the theater and hope all emerge from this feeling like they were surrounded by help.

Dave, hope your wife was brave to go after the critters, and they must have been scared and happy she came back to rescue them. Thanks for your kind comments on the photo!

Anil, I'm sure the people concerned would appreciate your thoughtfulness!

Chuck, I've yet to see a production there, but have a friend from Berkeley who came up here for a year as part of that company (reminds me I need to give him a FB note about this). I bought an artwork from one of the staff people there last year, and he was kind enough to show me around the theater. Sad to know all that work over years of time is sitting out on the sidewalk in smokey, soggy dumpster bags! The fire department was great. And hey buddy, just how old do you think I am!!! ;^p

Anonymous said...

This is always sad. A fire destroys just about everything one wants from life. The only good thing is when nobody is injured.

Don and Krise said...

Our sympathies for everyone affected by this tragedy. I am so glad no one was hurt. Let's hope the community bands together in some way to help these people.

Bob Crowe said...

The most creative way to photograph a fire truck I've seen. Talk about drawing the eye in.

Paula Werner Severo said...

very good photo!