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Highland Park House Fire

SEATTLE – On Tuesday, Jan. 2 at 12:08 a.m, firefighters responded to the Highland Park neighborhood for a report of a residential fire. The first arriving engine (Engine 11) arrived on scene within four minutes and saw heavy black smoke and flames coming from the two-story, wood-framed structure with a basement.

Initial reports stated that occupants could still be inside the basement of the home. Ladder 7 conducted a targeted search of the basement and did not find anyone inside. It was later reported that all occupants had safely evacuated the home and reunited with one another.

Crews worked to extinguish the fire on all three levels of the home, applying water on the fire from all directions. Due to extensive damage to the interior of the home and the rear deck, firefighters fought the fire from outside the structure. The fire was reported as under control after approximately 90 minutes. Three additional engines were dispatched beyond the initial response, bringing the total fire apparatus on-scene to 23.

The American Red Cross was called to assist the displaced residents. Fire investigators ruled the fire as accidental, and determined it was caused by overheated electrical wiring in the void space above the basement kitchen. Estimated loss is 450,000.