January 1—An unattended chimney fire spread through a South Seattle home causing extensive smoke damage. At 1:03 a.m., a 911 caller reported smoke coming from a home located in the 5000 block of 27th Avenue South.

Engine Company 28 arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the one- story brick home with a basement. Firefighters immediately searched the home for anyone inside. However, the lone occupant safely evacuated with his pet cat before firefighters arrived. He was alerted to the fire by his smoke alarm going off.

The homeowner told firefighters he fell asleep and left the fireplace unattended .The flames spread from the fireplace to the home’s front living room. Firefighters extinguished the flames within 20 minutes.

The homeowner will be staying with neighbors until the smoke damage to his home can be mitigated.