An Everett house fire left one woman dead late Wednesday on Lombard Avenue, according to the local branch of the Red Cross. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald)

An Everett house fire left one woman dead late Wednesday on Lombard Avenue, according to the local branch of the Red Cross. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald)

Fire kills woman in Everett

She was a longtime resident of the house, which is owned by the Red Cross.

EVERETT — A woman killed in a fire late Wednesday was a longtime resident of Everett.

The fire broke out around 10:05 p.m. at a small single-story house on the grounds of the Snohomish County branch of the American Red Cross, in the 2500 block of Lombard Avenue.

Flames broke through the walls, shattered windows and charred furniture that ended up on the front porch. Everett fire crews had the flames under control 12 minutes after the first 911 call, according to the Everett Fire Department.

A woman was found dead in the living room, where the fire was most intense. She lived at the home for many years, likely more than a decade, said Betsy Robertson, a regional spokeswoman for the Red Cross.

The home is owned by the Red Cross, and rented out through a local property management company. A disaster relief trailer sat parked feet from the home’s south side. It was singed by the heat.

Authorities were investigating how the fire was sparked.

“Today is a very sad day,” Robertson said. “The people who work here are absolutely devastated. They did not sleep last night.”

The identity of the woman was expected to be confirmed and released by the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Each day Red Cross relief workers respond to house fires across Washington, the most common reason people call for their help. In a fatal fire, their focus turns to helping and comforting the family of the deceased. This time, the tragedy was literally in their back yard.

“It really emphasizes the point that no one is immune to home fires,” Robertson said. “They can happen to everyone. We should all be taking precautions.”

Caleb Hutton: 425-339-3454; chutton@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @snocaleb.

Talk to us

More in Local News

Mt. Baker visible from the summit of Mt. Dickerman on a late summer day in 2017. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald)
Hornets pester hikers on popular Mountain Loop trails

“You cannot out run the stings,” one hiker wrote in a trip report. The Forest Service has posted alerts at two trailheads.

A view of a 6 parcel, 4.4 acre piece of land in Edmonds, south of Edmonds-Woodway High School on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Housing authority seeks more property in Edmonds

The Housing Authority of Snohomish County doesn’t have specific plans for land near 80th Avenue West, if its offer is accepted.

Nursing Administration Supervisor Susan Williams points at a list of current COVID patients at Providence Regional Medical Center on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Dozens of Providence patients in medical limbo for months, even years

About 100 people are stuck in Everett hospital beds without an urgent medical reason. New laws aim for a solution.

Emergency responders surround an ultralight airplane that crashed Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at the Arlington Municipal Airport in Arlington, Washington, resulting in the pilot's death. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Pilot dead in ultralight plane crash at Arlington Municipal Airport

There were no other injuries or fatalities reported, a city spokesperson said.

Cash is used for a purchase at Molly Moon's Ice Cream in Edmonds, Washington on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
County Council delays vote on requiring businesses to take cash

Concerns over information and enforcement postponed the council’s scheduled vote on the ordinance Wednesday in Snohomish County.

A girl walks her dog along a path lined with dandelions at Willis D. Tucker Community Park on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Spraying in Willis Tucker Park resurfaces debate over herbicides

Park staff treated about 11,000 square feet with glyphosate and 2,4-D. When applied correctly, staff said they aren’t harmful.

One of Snohomish County PUD’s new smart readers is installed at a single family home Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, in Mill Creek, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
PUD program seeks to make energy grid smarter for 380K customers

The public utility’s ConnectUp program will update 380,000 electric meters and 23,000 water meters in the next few years.

An example of the Malicious Women Co. products (left) vs. the Malicious Mermaid's products (right). (U.S. District Court in Florida)
Judge: Cheeky candle copycat must pay Snohomish company over $800K

The owner of the Malicious Women Co. doesn’t expect to receive any money from the Malicious Mermaid, a Florida-based copycat.

A grave marker for Blaze the horse. (Photo provided)
After Darrington woman’s horse died, she didn’t know what to do

Sidney Montooth boarded her horse Blaze. When he died, she was “a wreck” — and at a loss as to what to do with his remains.

Most Read