The King County Medical Examiner’s Office on Friday, Mar. 13 identified the man who died in a tragic motorhome fire in Burien on Monday, Mar. 9 as Douglas William Cowell, a 66-year-old Burien resident.
As we previously reported, the fatal fire occurred Monday morning, March 9, in the Gregory Heights neighborhood along Marine View Drive SW.
Coroners have not yet released the exact cause of Cowell’s death.
Fire crews were dispatched at 7:53 a.m. and arrived at the scene at 8:01 a.m., with water on the fire one minute later, according to King County Fire District No. 2 Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal Ray Desmarais. Firefighters found the motorhome fully engulfed in flames upon arrival and sadly discovered the deceased male victim inside the vehicle.
According to Desmarais, a neighbor first noticed smoke coming from the motorhome and called 911. While speaking with dispatchers, the neighbor went to a nearby home next to where the RV was parked to alert residents about the fire.
The neighbor and a resident of the home attempted to contact the occupant of the motorhome but were unable to access the vehicle because of heavy smoke and fire conditions.
Because the fire involved a fatality, the King County Fire Investigation Unit and Major Crimes detectives responded to investigate.
Everyone at South King Media extends our deepest sympathies to all who knew and loved David.
