December 25—The fire that trapped a wheelchair bound woman in her burning home was caused by improperly discarded smoking materials according to a Seattle Fire Investigator.

On 7:22 a.m. Christmas morning, a neighbor called 911 to report windows breaking due to a fire at his neighbor’s house. Green Lake Engine Company 16 arrived to find a fully involved first floor of a home with a basement located in the 7000 block of Brooklyn Avenue NE in Ravenna.

By the time firefighters arrived, the “Good Samaritan” neighbor rescued the elderly disabled woman by evacuating her out of the backdoor and down a wheelchair ramp. Medics evaluated the female patient and transported her to a Seattle area hospital in stable condition with respiratory issues.

The fire began in a main floor bedroom and extended into the attic space. It took approximately 30 minutes for firefighters to extinguish the flames.

The fire is being ruled as accidental. The fire investigator determined improperly discarded smoking materials ignited available combustible materials in the bedroom.

The damage estimate is $175,000 to the structure and $75,000 to the contents.

The Red Cross was contacted to assist the displaced homeowner.