Seattle Firefighters Battle Massive Fire At Old Peanut Butter Plant

The City of Seattle owns the old Sunny Jim Peanut Butter Plant in Sodo and was supposed to tear it down a few years back but ran out of money. Now, the demolition is well on its way thanks to a raging fire that darkened the skies over Seattle and delayed many people on their commute home.

On Monday Seattle Firefighters came face to face with flames that moved at will through the old Sunny Jim Peanut Butter Plant. Andy Kim was nearby when the fire started.
“We work next door and we saw the smoke coming by our building. So, we went over there and saw fire shooting out through the roof,” said Kim.

Nearby businesses had to evacuate as the wind fanned the flames threatening to take over other buildings too. Scott Macmillan was working next door and was overcome by smoke.

“Lots of smoke, somebody told us the fire started at the other end, went down there and got a bunch of video, flames just pouring out of the top of the building,” said Macmillan.

The plant backs up to I-5, soon the smoke from it all brought even the afternoon commute to a blinding halt. Because, the plant is abandoned firefighters fought the fire defensively keeping it in check from the outside.

Fire crews dumped a lot of water on the structure which turned the building into something that looked like an urban waterfall.

Fire Chief Gregory Dean says one of his firefighters got hurt when he tried opening a side door to shoot water on the flames.

“When you have siding coming down it means he probably got hit in the head, hit throughout the body, so, they'll take a look at him make a determination,” said Dean.

The firefighter is a 37 year veteran with the department. He suffered a broken ankle and is expected to be okay. Chief Dean says much of the north end of the building is gutted and there are charred remains where the roof and a sidewall used to stand.

“The north end of the building is pretty much written off and we’re just trying to contain it and see if we can save the south part of the building,” said Dean.

Andy Kim says the damage from the fire was shocking. He didn’t realize the old building had also burned back in 1997.

“We never really understood what went on in the building. Of course we were surprised we didn't think anybody was in there, but so definitely it was surprising, scared,” said Kim.