Firefighters, anonymous donor save neighborhood haunted house



KIRKLAND, Wash. -- A Halloween tradition in the Juanita neighborhood proved to be too scary for building inspectors this year.

But thanks to an anonymous donor and some local firefighters, the haunted house will open just in time for Halloween.

“It’s been a long-standing icon in the community for over 15 years,” said Kirkland firefighter Seth Buchanan.

“I thought this was the end,” said Lindsey Morris whose family organizes the haunted attraction.

The Morris family didn’t know how close they were to the end of their haunted house.

“A cease and desist notice was put up on the tent,” she said.

Morris said her father built the haunted house from scratch as he’s done each year since 2000.

“He’s planning on doing it just a couple more years,” she said.

But this year a city inspector worried the structure could be a fire hazard.

“I think it was just a shock that you don’t know when something is going to end and you don’t have any control over it,’ Lindsey said.

Just when they thought their Halloween plans were ruined they caught a break.

A new fire resistant tent from an anonymous stranger was donated to the family. And firefighter union members volunteered their time to build the frame for the maze.

“It’s a small little token on one special day for the kids in our community,” said Buchanan. “I think it sets a great example.”

Kirkland officials said they trust the Morris family to keep the new haunt safe for everyone, and the scares will go on as planned this weekend.

“We really appreciate everything,” said Lindsey.

The attraction is only open on Halloween night at the Morris’ home on 108th Avenue NE in Kirkland.