South County Fire crews were dispatched at 2:53 a.m. after dispatchers received multiple 911 calls reporting the fire. The two-story house was engulfed in flames when the first firefighters arrived. After initial concern that the residents were unaccounted for, firefighters were able to confirm the family was staying in a local hotel for the night due to the strong odor inside the house from recently resurfaced wood floors.
South County Fire was assisted by Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue and Everett Fire Department. About 35 firefighters were at the scene at the peak of the fire. No one was injured.
It took firefighters about 45 minutes to get the fire under control. Crews remained on the scene into the afternoon extinguishing flare-ups in spots that could only be safely accessed from outside the house due to extensive structural damage to the floors and roof joists.
Damage is expected to total $400,000. The house had been undergoing a remodel, which was nearly complete at the time of the fire. Support 7 and Red Cross are assisting the displaced family.
South County Fire investigators are continuing their efforts to determine how the fire started.
