At approximately 8:25am, on the southwest side of 98th and 17th Ave SW, thick black plumes of smoke were seen billowing from the back portion of an abandoned structure, formerly Atlas Heating.
Employees from Gerber Collision & Glass had become aware and the call to emergency services was made.
At this time, there were no visible flames. As the calls to emergency services were being made by a few on-lookers, the flames quickly began to rise from the rear portion of the building. The building adjacent, housing Merry Maids and a dental office, were notified by bystanders and urged to move vehicles and evacuate.
Two residential homes on 18th Ave SW were also evacuated. Gerber staff were seen moving vehicles out from their garages as Burien PD arrived to secure the perimeter and divert traffic.