Two families were displaced from their homes following an apartment fire at about 9:37 p.m. Monday in the 23700 block of 101st Place Southeast on Kent’s East Hill.

The fire was first reported to 911 as a smoke alarm activation in a third-floor unit, according to a Kent Fire Department media release. When the alarm continued and no one answered the door to repeated knocking, a maintenance worker for the complex entered the apartment and found heavy black smoke.

When Kent firefighters arrived, smoke was coming out of both the front door and one window. The fire was quickly extinguished preventing it from spreading to other apartments. A search of the apartment confirmed that no one was home at the time of the fire.

The residents arrived home shortly after firefighters entered the smoke-filled apartment and were cooperating with a fire investigator to determine what started the fire.

Water from the firefighting efforts caused a small amount of damage to the apartment directly below where the fire started. As a precaution, that family was also moved out of their unit and the power shut off. Apartment management has provided both families with alternate housing within the complex until the damage is repaired.

A total of four adults and two children were displaced. All other residents in the building were able to return to their homes and no other structures were affected.

At this time the fire is still under investigation and there is no damage estimate.

Fire officials said the presence of a working smoke alarm provided early warning to residents of the fire. Without a smoke alarm the fire would have continued to grow which could have led to more damage and possible injuries or death.

Residents are reminded by fire officials to ensure that you have at least one working smoke alarm on each floor of your home and to change the smoke alarm batteries on the first Sunday in November when you turn back your clocks.
View Larger Map