Massive fire burns old school building in SeaTac

SEATAC, Wash. — A stubborn fire at a former elementary school in SeaTac burned for more than six hours before it was contained.

The two-alarm fire at what used to be Maywood Elementary School on South 200th Street near 14th Avenue South was reported around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. The school has been closed for years.

Firefighters said the flames began in the northwest corner of the building. Crews worked to keep the fire from spreading to other parts of the school, such as the gym.

Firefighters were fighting part of the fire from the inside, but because of safety concerns, crews got out of the building and continued fighting the fire from the outside, according to Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority.

The fire was so intense and powerful that other fire departments joined in the fight.

The school was built in 1958. Fire officials said there 4 to 6 inches of foam insulation used in the roof made their job difficult.

“As that foam catches fire, it turns into basically, a gasoline fire,” said Pat Pawlack with PSRFA. “It’s very difficult to extinguish.”

Foam insulation is a petroleum product, and when it burns, it’s toxic.

Authorities said neighbors weren’t evacuated because there was no wind or low-hanging smoke.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is sending a fire investigator to help determine the cause of the fire.

At noon, crews continued to put out hot spots.

No injuries were reported.

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