15 large apartment complexes in Snohomish County missing fire alarms

EVERETT, Wash. — Nearly a year after a fatal New Year's Eve fire in Everett, a crackdown on fire codes has revealed 15 more apartment buildings without fire alarms.

The fire marshal says the worst scenario is learning about a code violation after a major fire, which happened in a Dec. 31, 2015, fire at the Bluffs apartments along West Casino Road. The building had no alarms or sprinkler system. One person died.

Most of the buildings without fire alarms are in South Snohomish County.

Five complexes are in Edmonds, five are in Mountlake Terrace and the others are scattered in unincorporated areas of Fire District 1.

Marshals also say two complexes in South Everett will also need to get their fire alarms up to code.

Those complexes might have working smoke detectors, but the fire code is now asking for pull alarms and heat detectors.

"We believe it's important to get that early warning to the rest of the residents to evacuate,” said Everett Fire Marshal Eric Hicks.

While fire officials are pushing for more safety, they say it could take up to five years to get all 15 complexes in South Snohomish in compliance.

Owners of the complexes who fail to comply could face heavy fines or legal action.

Cox Media Group