Smoky warehouse fire burns in Fremont; neighbors warned to keep windows closed

SEATTLE — A warehouse burned in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood where firefighters urged people to shut their windows because of heavy smoke early Monday.

PHOTOS: Warehouse fire causes smoke throughout neighborhood

It started in the 600 block of Northwest 40th Street at about 1:30 a.m.  No injuries were reported.

Crews arrived to find the warehouse fully involved in flames and fought the fire defensively from the outside until they could determine it was safe to go in.

Crews used a fire boat to relay water to an engine because the pressure from fire hydrants in the area was low. Seattle fire said the problem was likely from so many units -- at one point 12 engines -- drawing from the same water source on land.

Firefighters had the flames under control by about 3:30 a.m., but are expected to remain at the scene until noon putting out hot spots. Leary Way Northwest was closed at NW 40th while hoses were across the road but reopened at about 5:15 a.m.

The building is used to ship and receive glassworks and contains many racks filled with cardboard and plastic, which created a lot of smoke throughout the area as it burned.

Seattle fire recommended that people keep their doors and windows closed to avoid smoke inhalation.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Cox Media Group