Flames force occupants from apartments

EVERETT, Wash. — Early morning flames forced more than a dozen people out of their apartments in south Everett.

Fire broke out on the deck of a unit at the Hampton Court Apartments on 112th Street Southwest about 3 a.m. Tuesday.

Neighbors said the tenants there had been lighting fireworks on the deck around midnight, and when the fire started a few hours later, more fireworks ignited.

The occupants, including a teenage boy, tried to put out the fire with several fire extinguishers, but were unable to stop the flames.  That boy suffered some smoke inhalation and had to be treated at a local hospital.

As the fire was still roaring, Carl Anderson's girlfriend, whose apartment was burning, was getting very upset when she remembered her cats were in the apartment.

"So, I got everyone across the street.  But when she starts thinking about her cats, she wanted to go back in.  So when she ran across the street to go back in, the firefighters grabbed her.  Then the cops grabbed her and they pinned her across the car,” said Anderson.

Police detained the woman for resisting arrest.

More than 25 firefighters from Fire District 1, Mukilteo and Lynnwood responded and had the fire under control in about 30 minutes.

Firefighters searching the building located three cats that survived in the apartment where the fire started.

Authorities said 14 people had to be evacuated from four units and won't be able to go back into their apartments because of fire and water damage.  The apartment where the fire started was heavily damaged and the roof will also need to be replaced, firefighters said.

Investigators said they are looking at two possible causes: smoking materials or an electrical appliance that may been in use on the deck prior to the fire.

Damages are estimated to be more than $200,000.

KIRO