Firefighters from the Valley Regional Fire Authority and nearby agencies responded, contained and put out a house fire in Auburn early Sunday morning.
There were no injuries to the occupants or firefighters. The occupants are receiving temporary housing assistance from the Red Cross. In all, 19 people were displaced.
The VRFA was dispatched to a house fire at 2427 Poplar St. SE in Auburn at 12:37 a.m. Firefighters arrived to find a two-story, fourplex with heavy fire involvement from the center of the structure involving the first and second floor and the attic.
A second alarm was called and firefighters from Kent Regional Fire Authority, South King Fire and Rescue, Medic One and KCFPD No. 44 responded. Firefighters assisted in evacuating the structure.
Firefighters contained the fire to the unit of origin and the attic. The adjoining units on both sides suffered extensive water and smoke damage.
Official said the fire caused an estimated $500,000 in damage to the apartment building and the contents.
Fire investigators have determined that the fire started in the kitchen area of one of the first floor units of the two-story building. The cause of the fire is still classified as “undetermined” while fire investigators process the evidence collected from the scene.
