Covington house fire displaces 5

Published 10:18 am Monday, June 1, 2015

For the Reporter

Five people have been displaced from their home following a house fire in the 26000 block of 174 Avenue Southeast, Covington.

An overheated extension cord in the garage was the cause of the fire, investigators concluded.

Firefighters from the Kent Fire Department RFA and Maple Valley were dispatched at 1:30 p.m. Sunday to a report of smoke coming from the eaves of a house. When they arrived, firefighters found approximately half of the single-story house in flames.

In addition, the power line feeding the house had burned through and was arcing in the driveway.

Because of the danger from the live wire and the instability of the house, the decision was made to fight the fire from the outside or “defensively.” Once Puget Sound Energy was able to shut off the power, firefighters were able to redirect their attack and extinguish the fire.

None of the five residents, two adults and three children, were injured in the fire.