MOUNTLAKE TERRACE, Wash. — Incense that was placed too close to combustibles sparked a two-alarm fire at a Mountlake Terrace apartment complex Monday morning, investigators said.
A quick-acting employee was credited with helping people escape the fire, which erupted on the third floor of the Taluswood Apartments, 4101 236th St., at about 7:30 a.m.
Firefighters rescued a man who was trapped on the third floor.
"There was a man trapped on a deck right next to the flames, and firefighters quickly rescued him. (They) set up a ladder and got him down,” said Leslie Hynes with Snohomish County Fire District 1.
Building employee and resident Randall West alerted residents to the fire and told them to evacuate.
"Randall ran around and knocked on every door and made sure everyone got out. There's your hero, besides the firefighters," said resident Glenn Hoffman.
Many in the building who have pets said they felt lucky that the flames didn’t get to their animals. Firefighters were able to rescue a large dog.
"I'm sure if it had spread, there would be lot of loss with the animals,” said resident Cody Hill.
Video from Chopper 7 showed smoke pouring from holes in the roof of the “J” building.
"That thing was fully involved with flames. It was leaping out underneath the top of that top apartment. Big black smoke was coming out. These firefighters did an excellent job getting it under control,” said Hoffman.
One resident and a firefighter suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene.
Fire officials said 12 units have varying degrees of damage.
The Red Cross is helping those who were displaced by the fire.
KIRO
