Local
Tumwater apartment fire prompts evacuation and aid for residents at 30 units
A two-alarm fire at a Tumwater apartment complex displaced residents from about 30 units Thursday. A man and a child were rescued, and crews continued working on hot spots as the cause remained under investigation.
A fire that spread into the attic of a Tumwater apartment building Thursday displaced residents from about 30 units and brought firefighters from multiple departments to the scene in the 300 block of Israel Road SW.
A man was rescued from a second-floor balcony using a ladder, and firefighters found and woke a child inside one of the apartments. The child was reported safe. About five or six people were evaluated for possible smoke inhalation, but no serious injuries or deaths had been reported and no one was taken to a hospital.
Firefighters initially attacked the blaze from inside, then called a second alarm after it reached the attic. As the fire spread, crews switched to a defensive approach and evacuated the affected area. Firefighters remained at the complex to extinguish hot spots. The cause was under investigation.
Tumwater police closed part of Israel Road SW. City officials and the Tumwater Fire Department coordinated with the school district to alert families at a nearby school and ask them to stay clear of the area.
The city opened a temporary respite space for displaced residents and pets in the Tumwater Fire Department’s Fire Training Room. The apartment complex was working to place residents in hotel rooms, and the Red Cross was called. Local organizations were also helping with shelter, clothing and diapers.
Deputy Fire Chief Shawn Crimmins thanked responding fire departments and community partners, including the Red Cross, Salvation Army, FD Cares and Tumwater School District, for their assistance.