Two people were injured and 85 were displaced after a suspected arson fire at a SeaTac apartment complex late Saturday night that damaged 28 units and caused 20 more units to be evacuated.
Multiple agencies responded at about 11:25 p.m. July 10 to The Hanover Apartments, 3117 S. 192nd St., just east of Highway 99 near Angle Lake and west of Interstate 5.
The dispatch was upgraded to a second alarm while units were still en route to bring additional resources to the scene, according to Capt. Joe Root, Puget Sound Fire spokesperson.
While the investigation is ongoing, the cause of the fire is believed to be arson, Root said. A suspect is in custody and has been booked into the King County jail. The individual is believed to be a resident of the building.
The first arriving crews found one building on fire that appeared to have started on the first floor and was spreading to the second and third floors. There were also multiple reports of residents jumping from the second floor. Large hose steams were used to knock down the fire while other crews used ladders to rescue at least three individuals that were still on balconies.
Crews also made contact and treated several patients with burns. Due to the size of the fire and the number of residents impacted a third alarm was requested. There were more than 24 units on scene including Tukwila Fire, South King Fire and Rescue, King County Fire District 2/Burien, North Highline, KC Medic One and Zone 3 Rehab in addition to the units from Puget Sound Fire.
City of SeaTac Police were also instrumental in helping residents, Root said. The fire was prevented from spreading to additional buildings and was under control in about 90 minutes. Multiple fire crews remained on scene until a little after 5 a.m. Sunday to manage hot spots and assist residents.
The injured residents included two critical injuries and two non-critical injuries. Three of the injuries were from a family of two adults and one infant, Root said. There were no injuries to firefighters.
A female baby was discharged from Harborview Medical Center, according to a hospital spokeswoman on July 12. A man remained in serious condition in ICU and a woman was in satisfactory condition.
The building involved in fire contained 48 units of which 28 experienced some sort of damage. The entire building will be uninhabitable since the power supply has been disconnected, Root said.
Red Cross responded and assisted those displaced.
In the hours and days ahead, the Red Cross will work with local officials and apartment management to determine the extent of damage and provide clients with comfort items and services, said Red Cross spokesperson Abby Lutz in a July 11 email. Anyone who needs assistance can call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
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Fire breaks out late Saturday night, July 10 at The Hanover Apartments in SeaTac. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
