Tragedy was averted when a major fire engulfed the first floor of SHA’s 120-unit Bell Tower apartment building in Belltown very early in the morning on March 10. SHA is grateful to the Seattle Fire and Police Departments for their fire response that morning and the investigation that followed, and to  SHA partners who assisted residents at the scene and in the days after.

The March 10 Bell Tower fire was contained to the first floor, which does not have any residential units. One resident, who was on the ground floor, was taken to the hospital and two were treated at the scene for minor injuries. The resident who was hospitalized is out of the ICU and is recovering well. The fire proved to be arson and a suspect, who is not an SHA resident, is in custody.

The safety and well-being of the 119 people living at Bell Tower is due to the training, skill and dedication of the first responders at the Seattle Fire and Police Departments. King County Metro provided a bus to bring residents in out of the cold as they waited to learn if and when they could return to their apartments. Many were able to safely return home later that day but, because the fire destroyed equipment that enables elevator service, many residents were not able to return to living in their units. Both remaining residents and those who had to be relocated needed help. After going door-to-door on the day of the fire to check on residents’ welfare and needs, SHA staff set up a command center on the second floor of Bell Tower and systems were created to track every resident and make sure they had food, medication and other necessities. Nearly 50 residents who could not manage the stairs were booked into hotel rooms and provided with transportation. A room was established at each hotel location as a staffed service center for residents to get questions answered, have snacks available and be connected with resources.

Staff at SHA could not have done it without partners from Aging and Disability Services and Full Life Care, who brought additional mental health, behavioral health and other critical services to Bell Tower residents traumatized or displaced by the fire.

SHA is deeply grateful to the first responders and service partners who have contributed to the safety, comfort and recovery of residents at Bell Tower.