For the Reporter
Several people were rescued, others escaped and families displaced from a two-alarm apartment fire in the 23200 block of 88 Avenue South early Sunday morning, the Kent Regional Fire Authority reported.
The fire was first reported at 2:05 a.m. and was followed by several callers who said that a first-floor balcony was on fire and that it was spreading to the second and third stories.
When firefighters from the Kent RFA, Renton, Tukwila, and South King Fire and Rescue arrived, they were faced with rescuing several people who were trapped on the balconies of apartments adjacent to those on fire. Among those rescued were a baby and her mother. Several of those who were rescued or self-evacuated were evaluated by King County paramedics for minor injuries.
No one was transported to a hospital.
Kent Police provided security at the fire scene and the Zone 3 Explorers staffed the rehab area.
While the rescues were going on, several other crews began attacking the fire from the outside to knock down the flames, which had fully engulfed all three floors. By quickly getting water on the fire, firefighters were able to protect the adjoining apartments and keep the fire out of the attic space.
Red Cross was brought to the scene to help the displaced families. The occupants of all 12 units have been relocated due to the damage to the building. Site managers have found apartments for all of the displaced residents to stay in. Approximately 30 people were affected.
Fire investigators have concluded that the fire started when sparks from a charcoal barbecue ignited combustibles on the deck of the first-floor apartment.
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