MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Authorities investigating if trash fire at Franklin High School was intentionally set

Nov 14, 2025, 4:42 PM

seattle firefighters budget union...

Closeup of the Seattle Fire Department insignia on an emergency response vehicle. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)

(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)

The Seattle Fire Department responded to an active fire at Franklin High School Friday afternoon.

The 911 call came in just after 1 p.m. for a trash fire in a second-floor bathroom. Firefighters arrived and quickly extinguished the fire. No one was injured, but the smoke spread throughout the building.

“It is an old school with an old ventilation system, so we dispatched our mobile ventilation unit. They have a giant fan, and they were able to ventilate the building to help remove the carbon monoxide buildup and the smoke,” Seattle Fire Department spokesman David Cuerpo said.

Authorities investigating fire at Franklin High School

Investigators are trying to determine whether the fire was intentionally set. They are checking the school’s surveillance cameras to figure out who is responsible.

Franklin has more than 1,000 students. It is unclear if the school was evacuated, and/or whether classes were cancelled because of the fire.

We contacted Franklin High and Seattle Public Schools, but so far, we have not heard back.

Follow James Lynch on X. Read more of his stories here. Submit news tips here.

MyNorthwest News

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service via Flickr Creat...

Tom Brock

Search launched in Okanogan County for missing plane with two people on board

Authorities launched a search for a missing small plane Saturday, that may have disappeared while flying over northeast Washington state.

11 hours ago

A photo of a Seattle Police Department vehicle. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)...

Tom Brock

Drive-by shooting at south Seattle nightclub leaves one dead, one injured

Seattle police are searching for a murder suspect after a drive-by shooting in south Seattle left a man dead and a woman hurt early Sunday morning.

15 hours ago

Washington State Ferries...

Luke Duecy

The Spin: Washington State Ferries’ ‘People First’ message puts workers ahead of stranded passengers

When a disruption hits Washington State Ferries, the public wants to know what happened, how long it will last, and what officials are doing to help.

19 hours ago

closures (1)...

Nate Connors

Seattle highway closures, southbound I-405 shutdown in Bothell mean weekend detours

Drivers traveling through Seattle and Bothell should plan for highway and ramp closures.

2 days ago

2 Tom Wales...

James Lynch

25 years after federal prosecutor Tom Wales’ killing, investigators say the case is still active

For 25 years, investigators have been pursuing the killing of Tom Wales, an assistant U.S. Attorney shot at his desk in his home in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood. Federal officials said they are still investigating and need information that could turn what they know into evidence they can present in court. “This is an open […]

2 days ago

ferry (2)...

James Lynch

‘Not a problem that can be solved immediately’: Gov. Ferguson pledges to address ferry crew wage gaps

Gov. Ferguson said he’s committed to working with the union representing Washington State Ferries engine-room crews on wage gap concerns.

2 days ago

Authorities investigating if trash fire at Franklin High School was intentionally set