Firefighters douse accidental dryer fire at Regional Justice Center

A fire in one of the large commercial dryers at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center, 620 W. James St., has been ruled accidental and started in the drum, which rotates and holds the drying clothing, Kent fire officials reported.

  • BY Wire Service
  • Friday, November 21, 2014 1:50pm
  • News
Kent firefighter approach the roof of the Regional Justice Center to see if the fire had spread. Firefighters quickly contained and doused the early Friday morning fire.

Kent firefighter approach the roof of the Regional Justice Center to see if the fire had spread. Firefighters quickly contained and doused the early Friday morning fire.

For the Reporter

A fire in one of the large commercial dryers at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center, 620 W. James St., has been ruled accidental and started in the drum, which rotates and holds the drying clothing, Kent fire officials reported.

RJC staff first noticed smoke in the laundry room at approximately 12:53 a.m. Friday and immediately called 911. They also ensured that no personnel were in the area.

There were no reported injuries. No inmates were in the laundry room area at the time of the fire, Kent fire officials said.

When firefighters from the Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority arrived, they found smoke coming from the roof of the building, which is on the backside of the complex. Taking a hose line inside they were able to extinguish the fire quickly and use large fans to remove the smoke. The fire was confined to the affected unit.

In addition to Kent units, one ladder truck from South King Fire and Rescue also responded to the call.

The dryers at the RJC are all less than a year old.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Photos from the United States Attorney's Office Western District of Washington press release.
Kent man arrested in connection to violent drug trafficking gang investigation

Law enforcement seized more than 20 kilograms of fentanyl, 60 firearms, and more than $130,000 in cash.

Courtesy Photo, King County
Son accused of fatally shooting mother’s boyfriend in Kent back in jail

Dondre Butler has 3 violations in 13 months of electronic home detention after charged with murder in 2022

t
Kent Police targeted street patrols result in arrest of two felons

One driver spotted in a vehicle with no plates; another driver reportedly in a stolen vehicle

t
Kent cold case murder suspect back in state after governor’s warrant | Update

Kenneth Kundert fought extradition from Arkansas after August arrest in 1980 killing of Dorothy Silzel

t
City of Kent eyes November opening for Reith Road roundabouts

Two more roundabouts will bring total in city to six; three more in future plans

t
Kent-based Puget Sound Fire honors this year’s 20 retirees

17 firefighters and 3 staff members retire; firefighters served between 24 and 35 years

t
Pedestrian dies in Kent after being struck by a vehicle | Update

Des Moines man, 61, identified; reportedly tried crossing highway late at night but wasn’t in a crosswalk

t
‘Drivers going too fast’ led to 45-vehicle collision in Kent on I-5

State Patrol says drivers need to ‘slow down;’ nobody seriously injured in Sunday afternoon incident

T
Sound Transit to feature glass art in Kent at Star Lake Station

Part of agency’s light rail art program at two stations in Kent and one in Federal Way

Emergency vehicles respond Oct. 21 to the State Route 18 crash in Maple Valley that killed a Kent baby. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Federal Way man faces vehicular homicide charge in death of Kent baby

19-year-old also charged with vehicular assault for injuring boy’s mother in SR 18 crash

t
Kent mother arrested after reportedly driving drunk with baby in vehicle

22-month-old baby uninjured after witnesses report woman asleep at the wheel and blocking traffic

Puget Sound Fire, King County Medic One, and Washington State Patrol on location of the accident. Photo from Puget Sound Fire X account
Baby dies in crash on SR 18

Incident occurred at about 2:58 p.m. Oct. 21.