REDMOND, Wash. — More than a dozen people are without homes after a fire broke out at a Redmond apartment complex late Thursday night.
Redmond fire officials said the fire started in the kitchen of a ground-floor unit at the Fireside Apartments in the 8200 block of 169th Ave NE. It quickly spread into the stairwell and burned a car outside.
Fire crews said the flames and damage from the 2-alarm fire could have been contained if the person who reported the fire had closed the door.
"We want to encourage residents to always close doors when they're fleeing so it confines the fire. Even if you get trapped and couldn’t safely exit the structure, if you were to stay behind the door and give us a call, we'll be able to come get you,” said Tod Langton with Redmond fire.
Thirteen people were displaced and three people were treated for minor burns.
Five fire departments from surrounding areas helped fight the fire.