Smoky kitchen fire displaces family of five in Kent

For the Reporter

A smoky kitchen fire displaced a family of five from their Kent Valley apartment in the 1000 block of Central Avenue North late Sunday afternoon.

The family had been out and returned home to find the apartment charged with thick smoke. They immediately called 911. Neighbors reported hearing the smoke detector sounding but could not tell which apartment it was coming from. The fire occurred around 5:25 p.m.

Kent Fire Department RFA emergency units were dispatched and found the apartment full of smoke but no active flames. Fire crews searched for any hidden fire in the walls and ceilings. None was found. The apartment was then ventilated to remove the smoke.

The Kent Fire Investigator said all the windows and doors of the apartment were closed, and the fire in the kitchen extinguished itself when the oxygen level in the room fell below the minimum required to sustain fire. There was no cooking at the time of the fire and the cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.

The apartment sustained smoke and heat damage throughout. No estimate of the damages was provided.

The displaced family will be staying locally with relatives until the damages are repaired. No injuries to the residents or firefighters were reported.