Marysville apartment fire displaces 24 people
Published 10:32 am Thursday, September 27, 2007
MARYSVILLE — It could be weeks or longer before the residents displaced by an apartment fire Tuesday night are able to return to their homes.
The 24 people living in the four units affected were put up at the Best Western in Everett by the Red Cross after the fire at the Parkview Apartments, 4720 67th St. NE.
But where they’ll go after that, many aren’t sure.
“We’re looking for apartments right now,” said Nancy Ibarra, 29, who lived with her three children next door to the unit where the fire started.
No one was injured in the fire that started Tuesday night. The blaze began in the upstairs bedroom of one of the apartments and spread through the attic of the three other units in the four-unit building before it was contained, said Stephanie Price, spokeswoman for the Marysville Fire District.
The cause has yet to be determined. Damage was estimated at $300,000.
Residents of the neighboring two buildings in the complex were temporarily evacuated during the fire.
The fire burned a hole in the ceiling of one of the two upstairs bedrooms in Ibarra’s apartment. Two cousins were visiting and staying in the room, Ibarra said.
In all, 13 adults and 11 children were staying in the four apartments, Price said.
The two-story units have two bedrooms each. The building’s owner, Port Gardner Management, didn’t authorize 24 people living in four units, site supervisor Donna Ramirez said.
Many of the residents are Mexican immigrants and have family members who come to stay with them on a seasonal basis, said Ramirez, 40. Some of the visitors are farmworkers who left Eastern Washington as the harvest season is winding down, she said.
“You can’t police it 24-7,” Ramirez said.
Jose Miranda, 29, returned Wednesday to look through his smoke-damaged apartment. His apartment is livable except for not having any power, he said.
That’s the case with several of the units, Ramirez said.
“All their food is spoiled,” she said.
Most don’t have renter’s insurance, Ramirez added.
Ramirez’ best friend, Jody Holton, started a relief fund for the families. Holton is general manager of the Gold’s Gyms in Marysville and Arlington, where clothing, blankets and cash are being collected. Cash may also be deposited in an account at North County Bank, Holton said.
“There’s been a great response already, so it’s very encouraging,” Holton said.
Reporter Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439 or sheets@heraldnet.com.
@2. Breakout Header:How to help
Clothing, blankets and cash for the displaced families are being collected at Gold’s Gym at 3131 Smokey Point Drive in Arlington and 1052 State Ave. in Marysville. Cash donations are also accepted under the Gold’s Gym Fire Victims Fund at any North County Bank branch.
