LYNNWOOD, Wash. — Two children were killed and a third child escaped after a two-alarm fire at Lynnwood apartment Sunday afternoon, fire officials told KIRO 7.
South County Fire officials identified the victims as a 7-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl.
The fire was reported about 2:40 p.m. at 196th Street Southwest near 68th Avenue, in the Lynnwood Townhouse Apartments.
Witnesses said people did all they could to rush into action and try to help.
"There were cars stopped in the middle of the street, trying to run over," one man at the scene said.
They were trying to reach the children trapped inside the burning apartment.
A witness said, "We went to the back alley trying to throw rocks into the window to get them out."
However, firefighters said two children did not survive.
"All I could think about were those poor children in there," another witness said.
One woman said, "I saw flames just whooshing up in the air."
The third child, who is about 11 years old, was treated for smoke exposure but is expected to be OK, according to firefighters.
Firefighters said there are reports that two adults may have been with the children at the time, but no information has been confirmed as to their relationship to the children. Those adults managed to escape.
When the fire chief was asked if the children's parents were home during the fire, he said no.
The ages of the children who died are expected to be confirmed by the medical examiner's office.
Officials said roughly 15 people were displaced because of the fire, and will not be able to return to their homes. Those apartment units have varying degrees of smoke and water damage.
KIRO 7 found out that one man who lived next to the burning unit didn't even have time to grab his shoes.
Those living in units the farthest away from the apartment may eventually be able to return home, KIRO 7 learned.
The Red Cross is helping families who are displaced.
Fire officials said one firefighter suffered a minor injury and was taken to the hospital as a precaution.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was at the fire to help with the ongoing investigation.
On Tuesday, the Snohomish County Medical Examiner's Officer identified that 7-year-old as Mardoqueo Jimenez Lopez and the 15-year-old as Victoria Jimenez Lopez.
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