EVERETT — A house in the Silver Firs neighborhood was gutted by fire Thursday, leaving six people without a home.
Four adults and two children escaped the fire just before 10 a.m. after a smoke alarm alerted them to the blaze. As they were rushing out, a passerby was knocking on the front door to tell them about the smoke billowing from the house.
Smoke could be seen for miles around.
The back of the house already was being consumed by flames when firefighters from Snohomish County Fire District 1 arrived. Black smoke was pouring out from underneath the eaves, fire district spokeswoman Leslie Hynes said. Part of the roof collapsed, making it too dangerous for firefighters to go inside, she said.
Firefighters fought the blaze for about 25 minutes before getting it under control.
The home is located in the 14000 block of 59th Avenue SE. Damage is estimated at $356,000. The homeowners have insurance and a place to stay, Hynes said.
The Snohomish County Chapter of the American Red Cross assisted the family.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Preliminary reports indicate the blaze likely was accidental, Hynes said.
Thursday’s fire was the second time the family’s house had been damaged by smoke and flames.
In 2005, fire damaged the family’s kitchen. A baby-sitter was heating oil on the stove when it ignited and spread to the cabinets. The sitter suffered minor injuries and the fire was contained to the kitchen.
Firefighters met with neighbors after the 2005 fire and discussed the importance of smoke detectors, Hynes said.
“In today’s fire, the alarms did exactly what they were supposed to do — alert everyone in time to safely exit the house,” she said. “This was a fast moving and very destructive fire. Without smoke alarms, we easily could have had a more tragic outcome.”
Fire District 1 installs free smoke alarms to district residents through a federal grant. For more information, call Kim Schroeder at 425-551-1254.
Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.
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