Fire that destroyed Edmonds home started near dry Xmas tree
EDMONDS -- Officials investigating a fire in Wednesday morning in Snohomish County determined the fire started near the family's Christmas tree.
At 3 a.m. Wednesday morning, the Snohomish County Fire Department responded to a home fully engulfed in flames on the 20000 block of 81st Avenue West in Edmonds.
Crews managed to put the blaze out in 25 minutes. but the home appears to be a complete loss. Neighbor Gary Watson shot home video of the fire and was also the first person to call 911.
“I just wanted to get the fire department here as quick as possible and put it out," he said. "It was starting to get to some of the trees and it was potentially pretty dangerous. So I got them out here quick.”
All four of the people inside the home got out safely, but a dog and cat are missing. Investigators have not been able to determine the cause of the blaze. Preliminary loss estimates are around $250,000.
Investigators determined the fire started near the Christmas tree, but were not able to identify how it started.
Fire officials said this fire is a good reminder to check your smoke detectors on a regular basis.
“The smoke detectors did their job -- woke them up and gave them that warning they needed to get out," Leslie Hynes with the Snohomish County Fire Department said. "Remember to check the battery in those smoke alarms -- make sure they’re working because they can give you the time you need to get out.”
Firefighters offered these safety trips for Christmas trees: