Hillyard fire claims two cats

Family safely escapes apartment fire

Brian Schaeffer, Assistant Fire Chief, 509.625.7002

Friday, October 23, 2015 at 7:48 p.m.

A family escaped injury this morning, but lost two cats in a fire that burned their Hillyard apartment.

A woman returned home to find her apartment rapidly filling with smoke about 11:30 am. A column of smoke could be seen as firefighters left Station 15 on east Wellesley. The fire originated in one unit of a three-unit complex and was beginning to extend into the attic space when firefighters arrived.

Firefighters searched each of the apartments to confirm that all residents made it out safely and worked for two hours to ensure the fire did not spread. The interior of the apartment where the fire originated suffered heavy smoke and fire damage that made it unsafe to occupy. Total damage was estimated to be $25,000.

Investigators are working at the scene to determine a cause. The Red Cross responded to assist the two displaced occupants with lodging and personal needs.