VIDEO: Massive Fire Erupts Near Google Office at Seattle Homeless Camp
A massive fire erupted at a Seattle homeless encampment just blocks away from one of Google’s corporate offices earlier this week.
The blaze ignited at an encampment at Mercer Street and Fairview Avenue on Monday, near Interstate 5, devastating a portion of the camp and putting the residents of a nearby apartment complex at risk.
This fire marks at least the ninth incident at the encampment since last summer. It is situated just a few blocks east of Google’s Fairview corporate office, although the office itself seems to have been unaffected by the fire.
A 46-year-old homeless man residing at the camp was arrested in connection with the fire. According to court documents obtained by KOMO News, he claimed that the fire was accidental, caused by a knocked-over candle while he was cleaning his tent.
The man allegedly attempted to extinguish the flames, but they rapidly spread. Witnesses reported seeing him flee the scene, leading to his arrest a few blocks away.
Footage of the fire, which could be seen throughout the city, captured the ominous sight of black smoke billowing around buildings, bridges, and even the Seattle Space Needle.
“Something is seriously on fire around Eastlake in Seattle right now,” exclaimed one social media user on X, sharing a video of the menacing clouds.
Seattle encampment, fire pic.twitter.com/MnwOwIUdiw
— Glenn E. Malone, EdD (@GEMalone) August 15, 2023
Something is seriously on fire around Eastlake in Seattle right now pic.twitter.com/vzt50fOQ7J
— Sergey Yun (@iskra_9) August 15, 2023
Fire near downtown Seattle #fire #seattle pic.twitter.com/2WbEDuJfA3
— Hayssam (@destinatepath) August 15, 2023
The Seattle Fire Department swiftly responded to the fire, successfully preventing it from spreading beyond the homeless encampment. Court documents also revealed the presence of an exterior gas line nearby.
City officials stated that cleanup efforts would take place within two or three weeks. Cleanup crews have already visited the site this week, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the mayor.
The suspect is currently in custody and under investigation for felony reckless burning. His bail has been set at $50,000, although prosecutors had requested $150,000.
A resident of the apartment building near the homeless encampment expressed her frustration to KOMO News.
“I warned the city that this would happen; they start fires all the time. We’ve called the fire department about seven or eight times this year,” she told the outlet. “It’s absolutely insane that they prioritize the safety of ten people over 2,000 innocent individuals.”
Seattle residents have been demanding the removal of the encampment for months, citing concerns for the safety of both the homeless population and other residents.
In March, a woman was strangled to death at the encampment, and her body went undiscovered for four days.
Seattle has witnessed a significant increase in its homeless population in recent years.
In 2022, approximately 7,620 people were homeless in King County, which encompasses Seattle, marking a 38% rise from 2020, according to the county’s annual point-in-time count.
Seattle is not the only West Coast city grappling with the challenges of crime, homelessness, and drug addiction. Disturbing scenes of homeless individuals openly using drugs and living in squalor on city streets continue to emerge from neighborhoods in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, and other cities as well.
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