Seattle City Council Approves Legislation to Demolish Hazardous Vacant Buildings Amid Rising Fire Incidents
Seattle's legislative body has taken a decisive step to mitigate the hazards of fire outbreaks in abandoned structures. With unanimous support, the Seattle City Council cleared legislation today to give the Seattle Fire Department a green light to either remediate or completely raze unsafe vacant buildings that pose a threat to public safety. Councilmembers Bob Kettle of District 7 and Tammy J. Morales from District 2 spearheaded the bill, according to a statement obtained by council.seattle.gov.
Addressing the issue, Councilmember Kettle explained, “The inability to demolish these hazards has contributed to a permissive environment where government stands by as predictable accidents and crimes occur," Adding to the gravity of the situation, Councilmember Morales recounted the district's experiences, saying, “Fires in derelict buildings have become a dangerous hazard across the City, especially in District 2. Between 2022-23 there were over 60 fires between Yesler Terrace and Rainier Beach, and someone tragically lost their life,” These statements highlight a dire context, with over 130 fires in derelict buildings reported in 2023, and a concerning 30 incidents in the early months of 2024 alone, according to council.seattle.gov.
Just today, the consequences of inaction were once again felt when a blaze erupted in an empty apartment building in Roosevelt, claiming one life and injuring others. Another terrifying event this year was an extensive three-alarm fire at a vacant property on First Hill, disrupting a busy arterial and displacing residents. In 2023 alone, three fatalities were recorded in similar incidents. These tragic outcomes have underscored the pressing need for the newly passed bill.
The legislation authorizes SFD to order either the complete demolition or remediation of such buildings and puts the financial responsibility for these actions on the property owners. In the most severe cases, the city can now perform the abatement work needed to secure these sites and recoup costs through liens. Over 40 vacant buildings have been identified as potential targets for this policy, all of which have witnessed fires. Funding accompanying the legislation is expected to cover interventions for four buildings in 2024, as noted on council.seattle.gov.
With the Council's approval, the pending step for the bill is a mayoral endorsement. Upon receiving Mayor Harrell's signature, the emergency clause included in the bill ensures its immediate enactment, providing a much-needed tool in the city's efforts to prevent further tragedies resulting from fires in abandoned structures.
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