MOUNTLAKE TERRACE – Talaga M. Talaga, 3, and Fuyiamoa Talaga, 6, were killed in an apartment fire at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 15, in Mountlake Terrace.
The boys’ father, aunt and grandfather and a 13-month-old girl, who were inside the ground floor apartment, escaped, according to fire officials.
The father tried to rescue the boys but was pushed back by the intense heat and smoke.
“He couldn’t breathe or see anything,” said Daniece Alopepe, the boys’ aunt.
The boys’ father, Sui Alopepe Jr., 32; grandfather, Sui Alopepe Sr., 55; and mother, Asofiafia Talaga, 29, were transported to Stevens Hospital. The men were treated and released that day, said hospital spokeswoman Beth Engel.
The fire that damaged all four units in the two-story apartment building, 5026 212th St. SW., tore an even bigger hole in the boys’ family.
About 15 family members were displaced by the fire at Village Square Apartments and lost everything, according to fire officials and the property owners. Family members, who lived in three of the four damaged units, apparently did not have fire or renter insurance. The fourth unit was vacant.
“It is tragic that they lost two children,” said Arne Yager of Woodinville, a spokesman for the property owners. “They have virtually lost everything. Any way the public can help them get back on their feet, that would be appreciated. That is where the focus should be right now.”
Investigators determined the fire was most likely unintentional and started by children playing with a cigarette lighter, Fire District 1 announced on Wednesday.
Investigators believe the fire started in the bedroom at the doorway of the walk-in closet where both boys were found. Investigators found a lighter inside the closet.
Fire District 1 and Mountlake Terrace Police are investigating the incident.
The fire caused about $300,000 damage to the property, fire officials said.
The father told police officials the apartment has had electrical problems for weeks and an electrician had been working at the apartment, according to police records. The water heater and some electrical outlets did not work, the father said.
There has been minor electrical issues at the Village Square Apartments, but nothing unusual for such an old building, Yager said. Built in 1969, Village Square Apartments is currently owned by the 5020 212th St. SW. Association. There are seven buildings, each building with four units.
“There has never been a fire in the building,” Yager said. “We’ve owned the building for about 17 years.”
Father awoke to flames
According to police records, the father was asleep in the bedroom and the two boys were playing in a bedroom closet that morning. The boys often played video games in the closet.
Sui Alopepe Jr. awoke and found the apartment in flames, according to police records. He rescued the grandfather, Sui Alopepe Sr., 55, who is disabled.
The mother, Asofiafia Talaga, 29, was working at Grocery Outlet, which is a few blocks away, when the fire broke out. She returned home quickly, but the building was already ablaze.
Fire District 1 firefighters arrived at 11:38 a.m., about six minutes after they received calls about the fire. Fire fighters contained the blaze by noon and prevented it from spreading to nearby buildings. The heat was so intense that it shattered windows and melted window blinds in nearby buildings.
“This fire just took off extremely quickly,” said detective Don Duncan of the Mountlake Terrace Police.
At least 40 fire personnel from Fire District 1, Lynnwood Fire Department and Edmonds Fire Department responded to the two alarm fire, said Hynes. The crews brought seven fire engines, one ladder truck, one aid unit and two medic units.
Family members told fire officials they did not hear any smoke alarms before the fire.
Investigators were unable to confirm the claim Monday. Mountlake Terrace Police Chief Scott Smith, however, reminded the public to remember to test their smoke detectors and regularly change the batteries.
“It literally makes a difference between life and death,” said Police Chief Smith.
The last fatal fire in Mountlake Terrace occurred on May 1, 1996. A 23-year-old woman and her 3-year-old son died at the Northern Lights Apartments, located near 44th Avenue W. and 212th Street SW., at about 11 a.m. A lit candle that had been knocked over started the fire.
Donations being gathered
The Snohomish County Chapter of the American Red Cross and Support 7, a volunteer group, tended to the family by offering food, water and clothing after the fire. Red Cross also helped family members find shelter in local hotel rooms and with relatives, said disaster services manager Coni Conner of Bothell. The family will need help finding new rentals to move into, she said.
The family has lived in the apartments for about two years, according to the apartment owners. Sui Alopepe Jr., his wife and children moved into the apartment a few months ago, apparently to save money to find their own home.
Neighbors say the family members are close to each other and friendly with neighbors.
“Everybody in the complex is a family,” said Sue Lee, 40, who lives in the apartment complex with her 20-year-old son. “We all hang out together. The kids play all through the complex.”
Within hours of the fire, family and friends gathered at the apartment complex to offer their support. They embraced and held hands, many with tears streaming down their faces.
“We have a situation where one of our own is hurt and we need to help,” he said.
Diana Hefley, a reporter with The Herald in Everett, contributed to this report.
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