Seattle firefighters will be collecting donations during their annual “Fill the Boot” drive all over Seattle, as well as at Queen Anne ‘caffeine corner’ (the intersection of Queen Anne Ave N and Boston), today benefiting Jerry’s Kids, a fundraiser by the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

Queen Anne’s firefighters say they will be at caffeine corner for most of the day—they’re still on call, but will be collecting donations on and off between their regular duties.

“According to MDA, the Fill-the-Boot campaign has raised over $435 million nationally for those affected by muscle-deteriorating diseases. Last year, the Seattle Fire Department was the number-one department in Washington State, contributing over $105,000 to MDA’s Fill-the-Boot campaign,” SFD wrote on its Facebook page.

For more information on MDA and the work it does to fight muscular disease, check out the organization’s website.

A teenage boy lost a finger late Monday night after a homemade explosive blew up in his hand at the West Queen Anne Playfield, according to the Seattle Fire Department. The boy told SFD officials that he was hanging out in the park with other teens at approximately 11:30 p.m., when he found the explosive on the ground. From the SFD:

The boy says he picked the up device and it exploded, causing the severe injuries to the teenager. The force of the explosion knocked the teen out, and caused him to lose one of his fingers. The teen also had his hair singed and his leg burned.

Medics responded and immediately transported the teenager to Harborview Medical Center. At the time he was in stable condition, breathing, conscious and talking.

SFD crews say they found several teenagers in the Queen Anne Playfield setting off fireworks, and that residual fireworks were scattered around the park, as was a blown up trash can. The Seattle Police Department is currently investigating the case. From the SFD:

Fireworks are illegal in the city of Seattle. Every year the fire department responds to dozens of injuries and fires caused by these illegal items. These injuries and fires can be prevented.

According to KIRO TV, the teen was 18 years old, and paramedics were unable to locate the finger.

Seattle Fire responded to a hazardous material spill on a boat along the Queen Anne side of the Ship Canal on Friday evening.

Several people reported feeling ill, and at least one person was taken to the hospital. We’ll update when we learn more. (Thanks Silver for the tip!)

Update 5/4 10 a.m.: Our intern Jesse did a little digging, and got the following details about the spill from the Seattle Fire Department:

The hazardous material spill was the result of a Freon tank that was accidentally broken open, according to a Seattle Fire Department spokesperson. Two or Three employees on a ship at 616 W. Ewing St. were said to have accidentally broken open the 22-pound Freon cylinder, which released the Freon into an 8-by-12 room. Firefighters evacuated the crew off of the boat, stopped the leak and ventilated the room. One employee was taken to the hospital as a precaution, but he didn’t have any symptoms of toxic exposure, nor did any of the other employees report feeling ill, according to the SFD spokesperson.

One man has been hospitalized after a house fire at 7th Ave W and Crockett Street this evening, according to the Seattle Fire Department.

Firefighters were called to 1953 7th Ave W just before 7 p.m. Sunday evening with reports of a fire in the single family residence. The fire, which was quickly put out by SFD, was contained to the basement of the house, according to fire officer Charlie Cordova.

There were three people in the house at the time of the fire. Two were able to get out safely, while the third, who was semi-conscious when firefighters arrived, was immediately transported to the hospital, according to Cordova.

The victim was reportedly pulled out of the “fully involved house fire” by firefighters, according to tipster Silver Miller, who heard additional information on the police scanner. “Medics said he was sluggish and had what appeared to be second degree burns to his face, arms, hands and pelvis,” Silver reported.

The Seattle Fire Department was not able to provide any additional information on the victim or his injuries. No one else was hurt in the fire, the cause of which is currently under investigation, according to Cordova.

The city is looking for an artist or creative team to develop artwork for the new Fire Station 20 in west Queen Anne. The project is a partnership of the Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, the Department of Finance and Administrative Services (DFAS), and the Seattle Fire Department (SFD).

This project is part of a larger program to move the fire station, which was built in 1949 and is one of the oldest un-remodeled stations in the city, from its current location at 3205 13th Ave W, to a new location just a few blocks away at 2816 15th Ave. W. After four years of debate regarding the move, City Council unanimously adopted the measure in October of 2009.

Though the new station, which will be two stories with two engine bays built to current safety standards, is still in the pre-planning stages, the city is moving ahead with the plan. In August the city selected Schacht Aslani as the architect on the project. Schematic designs for the new fire station are expected to drawn up in June 2011, with construction anticipated to begin in 2012, and the final move tentatively scheduled for 2013.

In preparation, the city is looking for an artistic design. From the press release:

The selected artist/artist team will work with the community, firefighters and city of Seattle staff to develop the artwork. The artist will create artwork that will be either integrated into the fire station facility or a site-specific, durable, three-dimensional, free-standing artwork next to the building. The artwork should address the work and spirit of the firefighters and the unique character of the surrounding neighborhood.

Established professional artists living in the Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana) or California are encouraged to apply. Applications are due by 11 p.m. on Friday, March 25. The selected artist will receive an all-inclusive commission of $90,000 to design, fabricate and install the artwork on site.

For more information about the project and how to apply, click here. Or contact public art manager Jason Huff at jason.huff@seattle.gov or (206) 684-7278.

Update 2/18/2011 3:10 p.m.: Here is some information from the city about how it will be funding the commissioned artwork for the new fire station:

The new Fire Station 20 is funded by the Fire Facilities and Emergency Response Levy passed by Seattle voters in 2003. Over a nine-year period this program, which started in 2004, will use $197 million in levy proceeds and other funding to upgrade, renovate or replace 32 neighborhood fire stations. The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, with DFAS and SFD, developed an art program to commission artworks that address the intersection of firefighters and the community and to form a distinct body of new artworks for the city’s public art collection. Since the passage of the levy, the city has commissioned 11 artists to develop artworks for 10 neighborhood fire stations. Over the next two years, the city will commission artists for two upcoming station projects.

Find more information about the Fire Facilities and Emergency Response Levy and Fire Station 20 at www.seattle.gov/fleetsfacilities/firelevy.

The Patriot Flag, a memorial flag that has been making its way across the United States since last September en route to New York City for the ten-year anniversary of 9-11 later this year, is stopping in Seattle today. The 30 x 58 foot flag will be flown at Seattle Center at 2 p.m. today, Tuesday, January 4, in honor of the victims of the 9-11 attacks.

Patriot Flag in Kotzebue Alaska, 33 Miles inside the Arctic Circle, on December 22, 2010. Photo by Captain Rudy Hecker, Kotezbue Fire Dept. Used with permission courtesy of Mitch Mendler of the Patriot Flag Project.

The flag will be hanging between two 100-foot aerial ladder trucks at the south side of the International Fountain at Seattle Center from 2 to 2:30 p.m. today. The public is invited to join in the ceremony and take pictures.

Sponsors Fed Ex and Alaska Airlines have provided free transportation for the 150-pound crate which houses the large flag. The Olympia Fire Department delivered the flag to the Seattle department yesterday. It will be sent to Providence Rhode Island on Wednesday. Follow the flag’s scheduled progress here, or get more information on the Patriot Flag Project here.

At 12:52 a.m. three Seattle Fire Department units were sent to a building fire at 2572 Gilman Drive W. We have no details at this time, and will update when we know more.

Fire crews were still on the scene early this afternoon after a blaze broke out at an apartment building on Lower Queen Anne. The first call for help came at 12:41am at the building on 311 Aloha Street where smoke could be seen coming from the structure.  The fire started in the kitchen of one unit and spread to the walls.  Crews managed to knock it down quickly and no one was hurt.  Damage is estimated at $35,ooo.

It turns out the two dumpster fires on lower Queen Anne over the weekend were intentionally set.  As we first told you Saturday, the fires broke out early that morning within minutes of each other at 612 1st Ave W and 417 2nd Ave W.

We’ve been tracking a rash of intentionally set dumpster fires for months.  We heard from Seattle Fire officials today who ask that you call the Arson Alarm Hotline at 1-800-55-ARSON if you see anything suspicious.  Of course if you see an arson in progress, call 911 immediately.

It looks like the dumpster fire problem has once again returned to Queen Anne. The 911 log shows that Seattle Fire crews were dispatched to two fires within minutes of each other early this morning.

The first call went out at 2:29am at 612 1st Ave W. Six minutes later, a dumpster fire was reported at 417 2nd Ave W.  We’ve been tracking a rash of intentionally set dumpster fires for months.  This past spring, fire officials even distributed arson fliers in the neighborhood.

Seattle Fire hasn’t put out any official information yet on today’s fires, and it’s tough getting in touch with anyone on the weekends. We’ll let you know once we get an update.

400 firefighters throughout Seattle have raised more than $100,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

During the “Fill the Boot” campaign on July 15th and 16th, firefighters stood on street corners around town collecting coins, cash and checks for the non-profit. “MDA would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all drivers who dropped their dollars and change into the boots of Fire Fighters,” the press release from the MDA states. In total, drivers around Seattle donated $102,731.

Traffic at many intersections in the city could be a little snarled today. Seattle firefighters will be asking drivers to “Fill the Boot” fundraisers for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Drivers are encouraged to toss cash, checks and change into the firefighters boots. Last year the fundraiser broke the northwest region record by collecting $131,000. Ballard’s own station 18 collected a department record of $24,662. Not only did this earn them bragging rights, they also received the “Coffee for a Year” prize. (Thank you Derek for the tip!)

The 4th of July weekend is a time for fun, family and of course, fireworks! However it also tends to be a few days where there’s heightened risk for accidents. In an effort to keep the community safe, the Seattle Police Department and Seattle Fire Department have released this public safety announcement:

The Seattle Police Department and Seattle Fire Department would like to remind the public that there are no legal fireworks in the City of Seattle.

The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling and use of fireworks are prohibited. Fireworks offenses are gross misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $5,000 fine.

Fireworks pose a fire hazard to property and present a safety risk to those who use them. Every year the Seattle Fire Department responds to fireworks-related fires and injuries. Each and every one of these incidents could have been prevented.

On the 4^th of July, 911 centers become overloaded with non-emergency fireworks calls. DO NOT call 911 unless you have a life-threatening emergency and need immediate help from police, fire or medics. Unnecessary 911 calls block people with real emergencies from reaching 911 and getting help.

Any fireworks-related fires or injuries should be reported directly to 911. Other fireworks violations may be reported by calling the Seattle Police non-emergency number at (206) 625-5011.

The Seattle Police and Seattle Fire Department wish you a safe and enjoyable 4^th of July celebration!

Happy 4th of July Queen Anne! Have a great weekend, and if you feel like sharing some of your favorite pictures of the fireworks, send them in to tips@queenanneview.com.

Between 12 and 5 p.m. today the Washington SeaGrant will be conducting a training exercise at the Elliott Bay Marina that may spark curiosity for a few in the neighborhood, according to Seattle Human Services Department Emergency Management Planner Thalia Syracopoulos.

Washington SeaGrant is holding a training event that will include flares, burn pan fires, divers in the water and other activities likely to be viewed by cruise ship passengers, waterfront visitors, plus the communities in the area of Elliott Bay Marina. It may also visible from the Seattle Municipal Tower.

According to Thalia, the Seattle Fire Department, Seattle Police Department, Harbor Patrol and the Coast Guard have been notified of the event. Thalia also reminds onlookers that the event is merely a training exercise and asks them not to call 911.

(Thanks to Julie for the tip!)

The Seattle Fire Department has been distributing arson watch fliers (.pdf) around Uptown after an upsurge in dumpster fires in the neighborhood over the last eight months.

“Six intentionally set fires have occurred in a specific area of Lower Queen Anne since September 2009, and three of them occurred in the month of April,” Fire Department Public Information Officer Dana Vander Houwen told QueenAnneView on Friday.

According to Terrie Johnston at the Seattle Police Department, most of these fires have been set in dumpsters in Lower Queen Anne (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Avenues West, between Mercer and Aloha streets), and were lit using items at the scene.

Although there were no injuries from any of these fires, the Fire Department encourages residents to follow the information on the fliers to find out what they can do to help prevent neighborhood homes and businesses from arson. On the top of the list: securing dumpsters, preventing recycling bins from overflowing, leaving a porch light on and calling 911 to report any suspicious activity.

Early Sunday morning several neighbors wrote in reporting a loud explosion-like noise in the Lower Queen Anne area.

Elizabeth C. wrote, “I heard a loud explosion last night [Saturday] at around 2 am. I live on West Olympic Place near 3rd – it woke me up. I know we had that mini-bomber a month or so ago and that was what I thought it might be (since the last bomb was 2 blocks from us)… It was very loud – and did not sound like a gun shot or fireworks.”

Tiffany S. wrote, “I have been searching the news sites to see if there have been any other reports of an explosion in lower Queen Anne again? May 9th (two months exactly since the last “home made bomb”) around 1:30am my husband and I heard a VERY loud explosion, within a block or two of 3rd and Olympic… It was so loud it shook our windows a bit.”

However Johnston says the rumors of recent “homemade bombs” in the area are inaccurate. “I’ve had several inquiries about “homemade bombs” being used in the dumpsters and want you to know there is no truth to this,” she wrote.

The Seattle Police Arson Bomb Squad is currently handling the criminal investigation. To report a dumpster fire or for more information, call Johnston at SPD Crime Prevention at 206-684-4741.

An 18-year-old woman is currently being transported by medics from the SPU campus in Queen Anne to Harbroview Medical Center, according to Seattle Fire Department PIO Dana Vander Houwen. At approximately 7:13 a.m. medics were called to 500 W Emerson St., and have been attempting to revive the girl with CPR while en route to the hospital. So far this is all the information Vander Houwen could tell us. We’ll have more details as the situation unfolds. (Thanks Silver for the tip!)

Update 10:32 a.m.: SPU’s News and Media Relations Manager Tracy Norlen has confirmed that the 18-year-old woman is a student at the school, but does not have any more information concerning her name, academic year, or present condition. She will be keeping us posted when she knows more.

There have been quite a few holiday lights popping up on homes and trees around town. ‘Tis the season. However, every year house fires peak in December and January. So if you plan on decorating your home will all the lights you can muster this year, the Seattle Fire Department has some safety tips for you to reduce the chance of your festive decorations becoming a fire hazard. They write:

Over the weekend, a house fire in Seattle was caused by an overloaded electrical outlet that had multiple strings of Christmas lights plugged into it. The fire caused $20,000 in damage. Every year, Christmas trees and lighting-related fires spike in December and January. Cords and plugs are the leading type of equipment involved in the ignition of Christmas trees.

Before you hang up holiday lights this year, Seattle Fire Department wants to remind you to make sure you take the following steps:

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use decorative lights.
• Do not use any string lights with worn, frayed or broken cords or loose bulbs .
• Do not connect more than three light strands together.
• To avoid damage to the cord, do not use nails or staples to hang lights.
• Always unplug tree lights before leaving home or going to sleep.

See more holiday safety tips here.

On Sunday it will be time to “fall back” again, so don’t forget to set your clock back an hour when you go to bed on Saturday night after celebrating Halloween on the hill.

The Seattle Fire Department also suggests you replace the batteries in your smoke alarms when you change your clocks. Here’s why:

Most fire deaths happen in homes without working smoke alarms. The most commonly cited cause of nonworking smoke alarms: dead or missing batteries. In a home fire, a working smoke alarm can cut the risk of death by half.

The Seattle Fire Department can install smoke alarms and batteries free of charge in homes where the homeowner is either a senior citizen, living on a low income, or has a disability. If you live outside the city of Seattle, please contact your local Fire Department to request assistance.

Smoke alarm maintenance is one of the simplest methods of protecting your home and family from fires. For more information or to request assistance changing smoke alarms and batteries contact the Seattle Fire Department at (206) 386-1337.

One of our readers, Chris Blakeley, took these photos of the fire at The Fairview apartments early Wednesday morning.

According to Chris, Queen Anne Avenue was closed to through traffic due to the fire.

The Seattle Fire Department sent a total of five dispatches to 1000 Queen Anne Ave N between 2:30-3:20 a.m. to put the fire out.

The fire was contained and damage was done primarily to the apartment it originated in, on the second floor of the building.

SFD officers found the fire to be accidental, caused by “improper disposal of smoking materials,” causing $125,000 in damage.

Still, Chris said that after nine years living in that apartment building, he met more of his neighbors in that night (many of which were veterans to the building) than he ever had before.

And although the hallway is charred black and the stairways smell a bit like smoke, everyone got out safely.