LYNNWOOD — A fire caused more than $85,000 damage and displaced a couple from their townhouse north of Lynnwood on Tuesday evening.
Neighbors called 911 around 6:15 p.m. to report smoke coming from a townhouse in a four-unit building in the 13700 block of 26th Place W in unincorporated Snohomish County.
“Black smoke was coming from the building and flames were visible inside when firefighters arrived,” said Leslie Hynes, a Snohomish County Fire District 1 spokeswoman.
The couple was away at the time of the fire. Their three cats died.
People were able to get out safely from the other units.
Firefighters from District 1, Lynnwood and Mukilteo stopped the fire before it spread to other units. There were no injuries.
“The fire damage was contained to the kitchen and dining area, but there was heavy smoke damage throughout the unit,” Hynes said.
The residents were renters and did not have insurance.
The Snohomish County Chapter of the American Red Cross was providing assistance.
An investigator from the Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire started in the clothes dryer, which had been running while the residents were away.
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