A boat docked at Morrison’s North Star Marine’s refueling station along Westlake Ave. exploded just before noon, sending one person to the hospital and creating a dramatic chain of events that averted a much larger fire.

Fremont resident Warren captured the sequence on camera. Witnesses say the burning boat was cut loose from the refueling dock under the Aurora Bridge, and then it drifted southeast alongside Diamond Marina next door.

It charred the front of a large boat (above) as it drifted by, and the flames threatened to ignite the boathouse.

That’s when witnesses say Harbor Patrol pulled it into the middle of the Ship Canal and extinguished the flames.

Craig Edwards, whose boat is moored at the Diamond Marina, praised the Harbor Patrol for their quick response, averting what may have been a devastating marina fire. One person was taken to Harborview Medical Center and another sustained minor injuries.

TV crews videotaping Morrison’s North Star Marine’s refueling dock. Westlake Ave. was closed for a half hour or so during the fire response, diverting traffic to Dexter Ave. and delaying traffic over the Fremont Bridge.

(Thanks Warren for sending us the photos!)

Seattle Police report that an officer escaped serious injury on Friday night, after a drunk driver slammed into his vehicle while he was responding to another accident on the Aurora Bridge. Seems like a rough weekend to be near Aurora, so stay safe out there, Fremonsters.

Over the past few days, SDOT crews have been installing parking signs through Fremont. And now, the first electronic parking meters are going in:

This one, as you can see, is right across from The Rocket. They’re covered in hoods until they’re activated, and SDOT hopes get them running by March 9th. The meters will cost $1.50 an hour for a total of two hours, and they apply to 70 parking spots in the business center of Fremont.

SDOT has also been installing RPZ (residential parking zone) signs on one side of residential streets with 2-hour parking allowed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for non-permit holders, and from 8 p.m. to midnight for residents with permits. The RPZ will be in effect Monday through Saturday. And there are new time-limit signs in unpaid areas that will be in effect from 7 am to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday. On some streets near restaurants, time limits will continue until 10 p.m. You can see the map with more details right here.

And enjoy your last few days of free parking!

Another morning with snow on the ground. Flakes started falling around 5 a.m., leaving a little less than an inch on the ground.

All Seattle Public Schools will start two hours late today with buses on snow routes. And while there are only a small handful of Metro bus changes as of 7 a.m., one is right here in Fremont: route 5 is currently unable to serve Fremont Av N south of N 46th due to “adverse conditions.”

Redhook’s breweries may have left Fremont, but the neighborhood is still home to Hale’s, Dad Watson’s and soon, Fremont Brewing Company. It’s a brand new microbrewery under construction at Woodland Park Ave. and 34th St.

To start, Fremont Brewery will brew two beers, UniversAle Pale Ale and Interurban India Pale Ale, only available in kegs. “We will put our beer in cans as soon as possible but for the immediate future, you will be able to find our beer on draft at many fine bars and restaurants in the area as well as come to the brewery for growlers and kegs,” explains owner Matt Lincecum on his website. “Starting a brewery in the midst of a challenging moment for our economy is clearly an act of passion. We invite you to come along with us and enjoy that passion in our beers.” Fremont Brewery will open in April.

The City of Seattle plans to remove one lane of traffic each way on Nickerson St. to make it safer and improve pedestrian access and bicycle usage.

The changes will be on Nickerson between the Ballard Bridge and W. Etruria Street, just a couple blocks from the Fremont Bridge. The lanes will be replaced with a center turn lane and a new westbound bicycle lane, leaving one lane of traffic in each direction. Magnolia Voice has more details and illustrations.

A new bar called Sinners and Saints is going in on 36th St. near Phinney Ave.

We ran into the owner and he told us the bar’s focus will be tequila, including some high-end varieties. He hopes to open on April 2nd.

Taco Del Mar next to Lenin is closed due to “water problems,” according to the sign on the door. “Lets hope they didn’t shut down for good!” said Fremont Universe reader Nick in an email tipping us on the closure.

We called and were told the restaurant is making some changes in the kitchen, and the permits are taking longer than anticipated. Taco Del Mar hopes to reopen within the next month.

Controversial parking changes are coming to Fremont in the next few days.

On Monday, the Seattle Department of Transportation will start the process to implement the parking plan. Changes include two-hour paid parking in the retail core, time-limit signs for some no-cost spaces, and a new residential parking zone (RPZ). Here’s a map (.pdf) The city says:

The on-street parking enhancements will feature:
- An RPZ on streets north and east of the business district to ensure residents can more easily park;
- Two-hour paid parking in the high demand retail area, using 90 of 700 spaces, to create parking turnover and provide better access for customers
- Time-limit signs on no-cost spaces outside Fremont’s retail core to promote more space turnover.

The RPZ and paid parking signs are scheduled for installation beginning on Monday while the parking kiosks will be installed on Wednesday. The city plans to have the pay stations “live” by March 9th. The city believes that these changes will make parking in the neighborhood easier for residents, visitors and businesses. The Fremont Chamber of Commerce has opposed this plan, as does the Keep Fremont Free group.

A 40-year-old Ballard woman who was involved in yesterday’s crash on the Fremont Bridge has died. The Seattle Times says a woman claiming to be the victim’s friend called them. The friend says the woman may have suffered a medical emergency before the accident. The woman also tells the Times that the woman lived in Ballard with her husband and twin 5-year-old boys. The King County Medical Examiner has not released the name of the victim.

Updated 4 p.m. The Fremont Bridge is open again after a head-on accident earlier today closed traffic in both directions.

A white van and SUV collided head-on just before 11 a.m., resulting in one serious injury and sending two others to the hospital. A third car was involved, as well. Medics performed CPR on the most seriously injured patient. The Humane Society was called to take care of a dog in the van.

Police have arrested a 23-year-old man for assaulting a cab driver early on Sunday morning in the 4300 block of Fremont Ave. “The fare was $10.25, I asked him for $10 and he got a little bit mad,” said cab driver Ali Rind. Police say the suspect punched Rind repeatedly while calling him “a derogatory name,” told him to “return to his own country” and proceeded to smash the cab’s windshield. The suspect was taken into custody inside his apartment.

This weekend, we added restaurant listings here on Fremont Universe. We’re still adding the last few restaurants, but in the meantime, help your neighbors by adding your ratings and reviews right here.

Blue Moon Burgers (Burgers)
BlueMoonBurgers.com
703 N. 34th St. (map)
(206) 547-1907

SeattleTimes.com: “Indulge in a classic, overstuffed, two-fisted hamburger….”
TheStranger.com: “Gourmet burgers at reasonable prices….”

(27 votes, average: 3.26 out of 5)

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Persimmon Cafe (French)
PersimmonCafe.com
4256 Fremont Ave. N. (map)
(206) 632-0760

CitySearch.com: “A cozy, low-key neighborhood spot serves fine versions of American bistro favorites….”

(11 votes, average: 3.45 out of 5)

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Flying Apron Bakery (Pastries)
Flying Apron Bakery
3510 Fremont Ave N. (map)
(206) 442-1115

TheStranger.com: “A bakery specializing in treats that are: organic, wheat free, hydrogenated-oil free, mostly vegan…”

(18 votes, average: 2.89 out of 5)

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