By Eric Stevick By Herald Staff
EVERETT — An Everett man died in a duplex fire early Saturday morning, officials said.
Everett Fire Department crews were dispatched to the building in the 6400 block of Fleming St. around 3:30 a.m., fire marshal Rick Robinson said.
Firefighters arrived to find the building in smoke and flames.
Crews discovered the man in a bedroom in the initial search and moved him outside where paramedics began CPR.
“The man could not be revived,” Robinson said.
The man’s name and age were not released Saturday. He was taken to the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s office.
Four people living in the north side of the duplex were able to flee to safety after a passerby noticed the fire and pounded on their door.
No one from that side of the duplex was injured, Robinson said.
The passerby, who called 911, told authorities he banged on the southside resident’s door and window but heard no response.
The passerby lives down the street from where the fire happened, Robinson said.
“He has lived there for a while and he knew there was a family on the one side and the man on the other,” Robinson said.
He broke out a window and thought about trying to look for the man but “the fire was growing” fast and he didn’t know if anyone was inside, Robinson said.
Firefighters used an infrared scope through the window to discover the man inside the building. A captain went in through the window to bring him out.
Crews had the fire under control in about 20 minutes.
Damage to the structure is estimated at $300,000.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, Robinson said.
A report on the progress of the investigation likely won’t be available until Monday, Robinson said.
The family living the duplex was able to find temporary shelter from a family or friend, Robinson said.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com
