SOUTH EVERETT — A Halloween night apartment fire has been ruled an arson and a criminal investigation is underway, but no suspects have been identified or arrested so far, according to the Snohomish County Fire Marshall.
Fire Marshall, Seth Henderson, tells the EverettPost.com the fire at HighGrove Apartments, 12433 Admiralty Way, was classified arson after suspicions emerged Saturday night when South County Firefighters responded to the blaze. The investigation is on-going.
The apartment fire displaced 15 residents, according to KING 5, and when firefighters arrived they found a mother and her infant trapped on a fourth-floor balcony, before they were rescued.
Crews quickly extinguished the flames and safely led the mother and child out of the building, according to South County Fire spokesperson Brian Clark. Firefighters reported no injuries.
The fire could have been far more damaging. Fire teams were able to contain the flames to an exterior hallway, KING 5 reported, preventing the fire from spreading inside any apartments, but the building itself sustained significant damage. Smoke and water damage displaced tenants from six units. 15 residents were provided shelter by Red Cross.