 The Seattle Fire Department sees an increase in the number of rooftop building fires during the summer months. The most common cause of these fires is improperly discarded smoking materials. In July 2021, Seattle Fire responded to two significant fires on apartment building rooftops.
Even when smoking is not allowed on rooftops, Fire Investigators frequently find cigarette butts in planter boxes and in garbage cans. Residents should be informed not to discard cigarettes in vegetation such as mulch, potted plants or landscaping, peat moss, dried grasses, leaves or other things that could ignite easily.
Building managers and owners can help reduce rooftop fires by taking a few basic safety precautions.
- Enforce smoking bans on rooftops and post no smoking signs.
- Make sure flower beds and pots are watered regularly during spring and summer.
- Provide metal trash containers with metal lids.
- Empty trash more often during warm weather months when rooftops are more in use.
If you experience a fire, please call 9-1-1 immediately after you are in a safe location away from the fire.
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