A potentially devastating house fire in White Center was contained Monday afternoon, June 15 after firefighters responding to an unrelated service call spotted a thermal column in the distance and diverted to investigate, according to King County Fire District #2.
The fire occurred at a home in the 10400 block of 12th Ave SW near Steve Cox Memorial Field (map below).
King County Fire District #2 said Engine 318 was en route to a separate service call Monday when crew members observed the thermal column and changed course, discovering a house fire already in progress.
Firefighters immediately began fire suppression efforts and were able to prevent the blaze from consuming a larger portion of the home, according to the district.
Following an investigation by the King County Fire Investigation Unit, assisted by King County Fire District #2 investigator Capt. George Stoess, officials determined the fire was accidental. Investigators found that a cooking fire started on the home’s back deck and spread into the interior of the residence.
According to Ray Desmarais, Assistant Chief and Fire Marshal for King County Fire District #2, the quick actions of the Engine 318 crew spared a large portion of the home from fire damage.
All occupants safely escaped the residence, and no injuries were reported among residents or firefighters.
Additional assistance came from the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority, King County Medic One and the Skyway Fire District rehabilitation unit.
Dispatch records indicate the incident was reported at approximately 3:44 p.m. Monday. Fire crews remained on scene for several hours, with the final unit clearing the incident shortly after 10 p.m.
