Fire Causes Heavy Damage to Edmonds Home

A couple safely escaped with their three dogs after a fire broke out at their Edmonds home this evening, Snohomish County Fire District 1 officials said.

Neighbors saw smoke and flames coming from the two-story house in the 700 block of Hemlock Way around 6:45 p.m. They called 9-1-1 and knocked on the door to alert the homeowners, who were unaware of the fire. “The residents said when they exited, there was fire in the garage, but the smoke and flames hadn’t yet entered the living areas of the house,” said Leslie Hynes, public information officer for Snohomish County Fire District 1, which provides fire and emergency services in the city of Edmonds.

When firefighters arrived, half the house was engulfed in flames and they quickly called for a second alarm. About 35 firefighters from Fire District 1, Lynnwood and Shoreline were on scene at the peak of the fire. It took about 15 minutes to bring the fire under control, but crews remained on the scene for several hours dealing with hot spots. No one was injured.

The homeowners had one cat that died in the fire and another cat is unaccounted for.

Heavy fire and smoke damage left the house uninhabitable. Red Cross and Support 7 responded to assist the homeowners. They have insurance.

Investigators are still trying to determine how the fire started. They do not expect to have a cause tonight.