LYNNWOOD – An apartment fire late Wednesday left about 10 people without homes, injured one and caused about $450,000 in damage, officials said.
The fire likely was sparked by a burning candle on an outside deck, the Snohomish County fire marshal’s office said.
Several people called 911 about 11:10 p.m. to report the blaze at the Keeler’s Corner Apartments in the 4500 block of 164th St. SW, Snohomish County Fire District 1 spokeswoman Leslie Hynes said.
More than 30 firefighters from Fire District 1, Lynnwood and Edmonds battled the fire.
One person who lived at the apartments was injured, Hynes said. He was taken to Stevens Hospital in Edmonds, where he was treated and released. The fire was in a three-story, 15-unit apartment building that has fire-fighting sprinklers.
“This fire started outside on a deck, where there are no sprinklers,” Hynes said. “The sprinklers inside didn’t activate until the fire burned through the wall and ceiling and into the interior of the apartment.”
Flames burst through the roof, she said. The apartments on the top floor sustained heavy damage and apartments below were flooded with water used to douse the blaze.
The Snohomish County chapter of the Red Cross and Support 7 provided help to those who lost their homes.
This is the second fire this month in Fire District 1 blamed on unattended candles.
“We’ve seen an increase in candle use and an increase in fires started by candles,” Hynes said.
A blaze June 6 destroyed a recreational vehicle, causing about $45,000 damage.
People should use extreme caution when burning candles, Hynes said.
“Extinguish candles when you leave the room and don’t place them near anything combustible,” she said.
Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437 or jholtz@heraldnet.com.
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