City evacuates Seattle Fire ‘cancer house’ in Northgate for testing

A Seattle Fire Department house notorious for suspicions surrounding numerous cancer cases was evacuated Tuesday, according to a report from Crosscut.

Dori: Firefighters don’t need any added danger

The evacuation was triggered when harmful mold was identified in Northgate’s Station 31. Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins noted in a statement acquired by Crosscut that while “there is no evidence” the mold is directly responsible for health problems allegedly caused by the station, the department “still takes these additional test results seriously.”

“For that reason, we agree that the responsible next step is to temporarily relocate Station 31 resources,” the statement continued. “As we have with previous remodels of stations, we are initiating a temporary relocation plan for Station 31.”

The station has long been thought to be the culprit behind over a 100 recorded cancer cases, as well as a handful of other “serious illnesses.” It’s known to many within Seattle Fire as “cancer house,” with concerns dating all the way back to the early 2000s.

A 2006 report stated that the building was safe to occupy. More firefighters continued to get sick in the ensuing years, leading to Scoggins commissioning a study to look into the issue, in tandem with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

In the interim, Station 31 will remain unoccupied, with its firefighters spread across a quartet of other firehouses.

“We’re committed to working with the mayor and the fire chief to identify hazards and eliminate them,” Union President Kenny Stuart told Crosscut. “I’m very happy that they were immediately responsive to address the problem.”

Governor signs bill to protect firefighters, first responders

The study will cost $400,000, pulled from the department’s operating budget. Results are expected sometime this fall.

Follow @http://twitter.com/Mynorthwest