Fire Yesterday In Community Center Of UW Family Housing On Mary Gates Drive

Yesterday around 5pm, about 20 fire department vehicles responded to a fire in the Community Center at the UW Family Housing on the 4200 block of Mary Gates Drive.

Neighbors reported smoke coming out of the windows and vents on the roof.

The Fire Department posted on Twitter yesterday at 5:35pm:

Firefighters on scene at 4200 Blk Mary Gates Memorial Dr NE with smoke visible from the structure. Report from staff members that occupants are out of the building.

At 5:45pm SFD posted:

Fire is under control, and Fire Investigators are en route to determine cause.

And at 11am today SFD posted:

The cause of yesterday’s fire at the community center has been ruled as “Undetermined” by Fire Investigators.

The Seattle Fire Department Blog stated:

U-District Kitchen Fire in a Community Center  

At 5:23 p.m. on Tuesday, May 8, firefighters were dispatched to the 4200 Blk. of Mary Gates Memorial Dr. NE for a report of a kitchen fire.  

The first arriving engine saw smoke coming from the first floor. Crews quickly put water on the fire and kept it confined to the kitchen and common area, and the fire was extinguished within 30 minutes.  

All occupants had safely exited the building prior to Seattle Fire’s arrival. There were no reported injuries to members of the public or to any firefighter. There was a total of 20 apparatus on scene, including 6 engines and 3 ladder trucks. 

Fire investigators responded to the scene and were unable to determine a cause of the fire. The estimated loss to the structure was $300,000 and $50,000 to contents.