Three escape fire that destroys Sultan home

Published 12:01 am Sunday, July 3, 2011

SULTAN — Firefighters braved thick, black smoke to put out a kitchen fire that destroyed an older home here Saturday afternoon.

Crews arrived on the 700 block of 8th Street shortly after 4 p.m. to see smoke coming from the back of the house, said Merlin Halverson, chief for Snohomish County Fire District 5 in Sultan. Two women and a man who live at the home already had escaped unhurt.

Firefighters went inside to attack the flames, Halverson said. The smoke, combined with the home’s maze-like interior, made that a dangerous task. No firefighters were hurt, and they kept flames from spreading to neighbors.

The fire’s origin appeared to be a stove where food had been left unattended, the chief said. Estimated damage was $40,000 to the house and $35,000 to its contents. Since the home was in poor shape to start, it’s likely beyond repair.

The people who lived there planned to stay with relatives nearby.

County fire districts 26 and 3 assisted.