SEATTLE — A home in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood that neighbors said was used by transients caught fire early Wednesday.
The fire ripped through the home at Third Avenue North and Ward Street shortly before 12:30 p.m. The flames could be seen for blocks.
As hot embers rained down, firefighters had to run hoses for blocks in order to get enough water on the flames and then batter their way through boarded up windows to get access to the home.
The house was sold in 2005 in a trustee sale, but it's unclear what happened with the property after that.
Neighbors said they weren’t surprised by the fire because transients had been using the house recently.
“The police tried (to keep transients out). They came and they had it boarded up, but it doesn't keep them out,” said neighbor Jackie Rossie.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
No injuries were reported.