On April 27, a fire broke out at 515 7th Avenue South, affecting mostly the exterior of the building. The Seattle Fire Department said nobody was hurt.
The Gee How Oak Tin building, a family association for Chin, Chan, Chen, Woo, and Yuen, houses Deng’s Studio and Art Gallery.
Damaged store on 515 7th Ave. S, with owner and artist Duoli Deng looking on. (Photo by Susan Lee Woo)
Deng Duoli, the studio owner, told the Northwest Asian Weekly that the fire also burned the ceiling inside, affecting the second floor. He has basic insurance coverage, but none for his art. There are an estimated 1,000 paintings and other works of art.
“There’s a fire every other day in the ID because I work late and see fire trucks under the freeway bridge. With so many homeless under the bridge, the whole Chinatown is a mess.”
Deng thinks the fire was caused by people sleeping outside his studio entrance who lit newspapers. His gallery has been open since 2001.