Kent apartment fire displaces 25; no one hurt

Published 7:30 pm Sunday, June 3, 2018

For the Reporter

Approximately 25 people living in seven apartments were displaced Sunday morning after a fire heavily damaged their building, the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority reported.

The fire, which was in the 25000 block of 46 Avenue South, was first reported at 9:23 a.m. Reports were of a burning upstairs balcony, a fire that was spreading.

Quick-thinking neighbors went door to door to warn others, which was a major reason why there were no injuries, fire officials said.

The fire was increased to a second-alarm, bringing additional units to the incident, and it took 45 minutes before it was fully controlled, the fire authority reported .

Red Cross and the Emergency Management Division of Puget Sound Fire were helping an estimated 20 people.

According to the Puget Sound RFA investigator, the fire was caused by improperly discarded smoking material on the third-floor balcony. The fire then spread into the attic space, allowing it to move horizontally and damage other units.

The Valley RFA, South King Fire and Rescue, KCFD 44, Medic One, and Zone 3 Rehab assisted on the fire call.