The American Red Cross has opened an emergency shelter after a Sunday morning rubbish fire damaged a Seattle apartment building's electrical system, displacing about 88 people.
Shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday, the Seattle Fire Department reported a blaze on the exterior of a building in the 900 block of Sixth Avenue.
The fire damaged the building’s electrical systems," according to a social media post by the department. "Causing high voltage electrical arcing. Crews are evacuating the building as a safety precaution."
Within minutes, crews had searched the building. Seattle City Light was called to shut down the building's electricity and a King County Metro bus headed over "to provide shelter for the displaced residents," according to updates.
The blaze "impacted 51 units and displaced approximately 88 residents," according to a news release from the American Red Cross.
The organization's shelter opened 7:30 p.m. Monday at Seattle Center's Exhibition Hall.
"Assistance available at most shelters include food, cots, and other urgent needs," according to the release. "If there is time to safely do so, evacuees are encouraged to bring the following for each member of their family: prescription and emergency medication, extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies, important documents, and other comfort items.
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