October 28— Unattended food on the stove was the cause of an apartment fire on Eastlake Avenue East this afternoon according to a Seattle Fire Investigator.
At 11:52 a.m. the lone occupant of an apartment called dispatchers at the Fire Alarm Center to report a stovetop grease fire which extended to the kitchen cabinets. The fire was in a third floor unit of a 4-story complex located in the 3200 block of Eastlake Avenue East. When firefighters arrived they found heavy smoke on the third floor hallway and black smoke coming from the side of the apartment unit. The buildings fire alarm system was activated and many residents self-evacuated.
Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the kitchen of the fire unit. It took 10 minutes to control the fire and 30 minutes to completely extinguish the flames. The fire damage was contained to the kitchen. The apartment also had heavy smoke damage.
The lone occupant, a male in his 30’s, suffered minor smoke inhalation and 2nd degree burns. He declined treatment and transport to the hospital. Two of the occupant’s cats needed medical attention and were taken to a Lake City veterinary hospital for treatment. One cat suffered burns and smoke inhalation and the other cat was evaluated.
Due to the extensive smoke damage, the occupant of the fire unit was not allowed to reoccupy his apartment. The American Red Cross was called to assist the occupant with temporary shelter.
The fire investigator is classifying the fire as accidental. The damage estimate is $15,000 to the structure and $15,000 to the contents.
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