MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — A Mountlake Terrace townhouse fire that killed a mother and daughter earlier this month was an accident, fire officials confirmed Wednesday.
Investigators also concluded fireworks did not spark the fire that killed Audrey O’Hara, 85, and Terry O’Hara, 63.
Around 10:20 p.m. July 3, a home in the Lake Village Condominiums in the 22700 block of Lakeview Drive became engulfed in flames, South County Fire spokesperson Leslie Hynes said. Fifty firefighters arrived at the scene, with one suffering minor heat exhaustion.
Firefighters found the mother and daughter deceased inside their home, according to the county medical examiner’s office. The cause of death for the two was fire-related injuries.
The pair is survived by Audrey’s other daughter Pam O’Hara, who lived in the home for 22 years, according to an online fundraiser raising money for Pam.
The fire displaced six residents, Hynes said.
On Wednesday, officials reported the fire began on the first-floor deck, Hynes said. Investigators have not found an exact cause of the fire, but determined it was an accident “from the evidence collected thus far.”
It remained an active investigation Wednesday. Hynes said the inquiry is expected to take another month to complete.
A memorial service for the O’Haras is set for 2 p.m. Saturday at the Everett First Church of the Nazarene, 2502 Lombard Ave.
Maya Tizon: 425-339-3434; maya.tizon@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @mayatizon.
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