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Maintenance worker helps save people in West Seattle fire

SEATTLE — A man risked his life to save others when the flames were raging at a West Seattle apartment complex Tuesday.

Smoke rising from the fire could be seen for miles as crews fought the multiple-alarm fire at the Lam Bow Apartments on Delridge Way.

A building maintenance worker is being credited for saving lives, along with the firefighters who were still at the scene Wednesday morning.

At one point, about 80 firefighters were working on the fire.

Maintenance worker Thaddeus Perry was one of the first people at the scene and ran into to help get residents out.

He says he made his way to the third floor when police arrived.

“On my way out I am knocking on doors, everybody is knocking on doors trying to get families and people out, making sure everybody was out of their apartments and knew what was going on,” said Perry.

A boy showed KIRO 7 a cellphone video that appeared to show that the blaze may have started in some bushes.

It also shows that a woman was knocking on doors and windows trying to get people out as well.

Neighbors say they didn't hear fire alarms going off, but the Seattle Housing Authority insists the alarms were working and were just tested a few weeks ago.

There were 51 units in the complex. About half were destroyed, displacing 44 people.

The Red Cross has provided temporary shelters for the people displaced.

No injuries were reported.