Red Cross, others help 150 displaced after big Everett fire

EVERETT — The number of people displaced by a fatal fire in Everett on New Year’s Eve has grown to more than 150. Many of those are families with children. Community groups are working together on finding them long-term housing and addressing other needs.

The name of the adult who was killed in the fire was not made public Monday.

There also was no update provided on 12 other people who were hospitalized. That included a 57-year-old woman with critical injuries, and three others who were seriously hurt.

The cause of the fire at the Bluffs apartments along W. Casino Road remains under investigation.

The American Red Cross continues to operate an emergency shelter at a nearby church. More than 40 people stayed overnight Saturday and Sunday, said Chuck Morrison, director of the Snohomish County branch.

On Monday, the conversation was about finding long-term housing, and working with organizations around the city and county, he said.

“It’s going to be their hard work and the hard work of a bunch of agencies to try to make that happen,” he said. “There are no easy answers.”

The Red Cross has provided 400 meals and 800 snacks for those displaced, Morrison said. In addition, 107 people were seen by nurses and 21 by mental-health professionals.

“It’s been pretty busy,” he said.

The Red Cross is not seeking donations of goods for the victims.

“We had a tremendous amount of donations of blankets, clothes and toys,” Morrison said. “At this point, we have more than we can deal with. Financial donations are appreciated. At this point the expenses are for feeding families.”

The Faith Community Center, located within Faith Lutheran Church at 6708 Cady Road, also is working with the families on their specific needs. People interested in helping can call 425-971-0402 for more information.

A call for donations over the weekend received an overwhelming response, said Roxana Boroujerdi, who is helping with the community center’s efforts. Organizers ended up opening the doors to the neighborhood to share donations because they ran out of room for storage.

“They received enough clothes for an army,” she said.

Authorities still are tallying the damage to the property. The official count was seven apartments burned and 23 with smoke damage. Additional people reported water damage in their homes.

The building is not under any condemnation orders at this point.

“It appears the property managers are taking all the right steps,” city spokeswoman Meghan Pembroke said. “They have security posted. They’re setting up fences to keep people out.”

The apartment complex was built in 1969 and did not have fire sprinklers. In Everett, large apartment buildings constructed after 1992 are required to have sprinklers.

The fire was reported at 7:09 p.m. Thursday. The first rig was on scene within five minutes, and “flames were visible from several windows,” according to a prepared statement by the city.

“It appears a number of factors caused the fire to spread very quickly into the attic and through the building, including the lack of a sprinkler system,” the statement said.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.