Post by Barnaby Cuthbert on Oct 9, 2015 13:07:06 GMT -8
News Room Fire Destroys Records
A cultural and broadcasting landmark nearly went up in smoke early this Friday morning.
The fire appears to have started in or near the KMRLD TV Seattle - formerly KING - building's editing newsroom on the second floor around 4:15 a.m.
The fire ramped up to a small blaze, with a total of 16 fire trucks arriving at the scene.
The fire only caused water damage to the files and video tapes in the editing bay part of the building, but destroyed KMRLD’s documents about the recent Kid-Scouts tragedy, video and equipment in the rooms.
“I feel like my entire life was in there," Reporter Kimberly King said of the editing office. "My awards, files, even my income tax."
King, who was gunning for an anchor position at the station, said one of the firefighters told her he tried to save a few of the pictures by setting them aside. Though it's not known if they were spared.
"It really is our home," said King, who has worked in the building since September and has had dreams of being behind the anchor desk since she was a young girl. Se said several of her co-workers have been there for decades.
King said the studio where the news is shot remained intact, but it's not known the extent of water and smoke damage.
"A lot of pictorial mementos have been destroyed," King said, "I'm not sure what priceless memories are preserved in there, but my report on the Kid Scouts, interviews, original police records, photos… they’e all gone.“
She said the newsroom and all its contents, and those of the reporters, are gone.
"Those news archives are gone," she said.
KMRLD TV vice-president and general manager Larry Doyle said the station's historical video archives, dating back to 1961, were in jeopardy as well.
"Right now that's the least of our concerns," Doyle said. "It's too early to assess."
King said much of the older footage and memorabilia was stored in another part of the building.
Seattle Fire platoon chief Dave Franklin said Sunday damage is estimated at around $200,000.00 but that's expected to rise because officials weren't sure of the value of all the broadcasting equipment.
Because there was only a lone security guard in that area of the building when the fire started, Doyle said the fire might be "a blessing in disguise" in that no one was injured.
Weekend anchor Kathy Goyer worked in the building for 20 years.
"We're all concerned,” she said.
Goyer said staff are most concerned for King, whose stories may now be permanently unfit for broadcasting.
The fire had burned itself out by the time firefighters arrived and fire investigators were on scene Friday working to determine how the fire started.
The Fire Marshal's Office has been called in due to the high damage estimate, but investigators from that office weren't expected to arrive at the scene until Saturday because of safety concerns, Goyer said. On Friday afternoon, work is still underway to secure the main broadcast antenna, as well as a roof air-conditioning unit.
The fire is being treated as suspicious until a cause is determined.
A cultural and broadcasting landmark nearly went up in smoke early this Friday morning.
The fire appears to have started in or near the KMRLD TV Seattle - formerly KING - building's editing newsroom on the second floor around 4:15 a.m.
The fire ramped up to a small blaze, with a total of 16 fire trucks arriving at the scene.
The fire only caused water damage to the files and video tapes in the editing bay part of the building, but destroyed KMRLD’s documents about the recent Kid-Scouts tragedy, video and equipment in the rooms.
“I feel like my entire life was in there," Reporter Kimberly King said of the editing office. "My awards, files, even my income tax."
King, who was gunning for an anchor position at the station, said one of the firefighters told her he tried to save a few of the pictures by setting them aside. Though it's not known if they were spared.
"It really is our home," said King, who has worked in the building since September and has had dreams of being behind the anchor desk since she was a young girl. Se said several of her co-workers have been there for decades.
King said the studio where the news is shot remained intact, but it's not known the extent of water and smoke damage.
"A lot of pictorial mementos have been destroyed," King said, "I'm not sure what priceless memories are preserved in there, but my report on the Kid Scouts, interviews, original police records, photos… they’e all gone.“
She said the newsroom and all its contents, and those of the reporters, are gone.
"Those news archives are gone," she said.
KMRLD TV vice-president and general manager Larry Doyle said the station's historical video archives, dating back to 1961, were in jeopardy as well.
"Right now that's the least of our concerns," Doyle said. "It's too early to assess."
King said much of the older footage and memorabilia was stored in another part of the building.
Seattle Fire platoon chief Dave Franklin said Sunday damage is estimated at around $200,000.00 but that's expected to rise because officials weren't sure of the value of all the broadcasting equipment.
Because there was only a lone security guard in that area of the building when the fire started, Doyle said the fire might be "a blessing in disguise" in that no one was injured.
Weekend anchor Kathy Goyer worked in the building for 20 years.
"We're all concerned,” she said.
Goyer said staff are most concerned for King, whose stories may now be permanently unfit for broadcasting.
The fire had burned itself out by the time firefighters arrived and fire investigators were on scene Friday working to determine how the fire started.
The Fire Marshal's Office has been called in due to the high damage estimate, but investigators from that office weren't expected to arrive at the scene until Saturday because of safety concerns, Goyer said. On Friday afternoon, work is still underway to secure the main broadcast antenna, as well as a roof air-conditioning unit.
The fire is being treated as suspicious until a cause is determined.