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Christmas tree fuels blaze in Everett condos

Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, December 19, 2000

Herald staff

A child playing with matches near a Christmas tree apparently started a blaze that caused up to $150,000 damage to an Everett condominium complex Monday, Everett Fire Marshal Warren Burns said Tuesday.

Although most of the damage was in two units, eight families received Red Cross assistance because of heavy water and smoke damage, he said.

The fire started in a second-story unit and spread to the one above it, Burns said. The condominium complex is in the 300 block of 75th Street SE.

A man who had been in the unit where the fire started told investigators the tree erupted into flames, and he quickly got the three children (ages 1, 3 and 4) out. Then he attempted to battle the blaze with a fire extinguisher but couldn’t control it.

Firefighters kept the fire from spreading to adjoining units, although the units did suffer smoke and water damage. Burns said he believes this is the first fire in the city this year related to the holiday season.

However, the incident demonstrates the need for attention to Christmas trees and other holiday decorations, Burns said.

Here are some lessons to learn from this fire, he said:

  • Keep any fire source away from trees and other combustible decorations.

  • Make sure there’s water in the base to keep the needles moist. Check it daily.

  • If the tree dries out (needles falling), replace it.

  • Use only approved (the UL symbol for Underwriters Laboratories Inc.) tree lights, and dispose of any damaged strings.

  • Never place a Christmas tree near an exit. Burns said the occupants might not have been able to get out in this case if the tree had been close to the door.

    Meanwhile, a special account has been set up for two of the families burned out in the fire.

    The account is set up at any Key Bank under the name Christy Whitaker, an American Red Cross news release says.

    Financial contributions also can be mailed or delivered to Red Cross, Snohomish County Chapter, 2530 Lombard Ave., Everett, WA 98201.

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