Family escapes burning SW Redmond apartment

One member of a family sleeping in their southwest Redmond apartment awoke to find a fire and got everyone out Wednesday morning – a good thing, since the apartment’s smoke alarms had been disabled, officials said.

Firefighters were called to the apartment at 1025 SW Veterans Way shortly after 7 a.m., said Fire Marshal Traci Cooper. They arrived to find smoke coming from an upstairs bedroom where the fire began.

Several members of the family were home and asleep when the fire occurred, Cooper said. One person discovered the fire and got everyone evacuated.

A dozen firefighters were called to the scene. The fire, discovered early, caused relatively little damage, limited to the bedroom and its contents.

The human-caused fire caused about $1,000 in damages, Cooper said.

American Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers responded to the scene. A spokeswoman said they provided assistance including temporary lodging, food, clothing and other immediate needs to the family.

Cooper said the specific cause is not known, but other sources were ruled out. She also said it’s unclear who disabled the smoke alarms, so no citations have been issued. The department is working with the landlord, and all of the apartments will be checked for working smoke alarms.

Cooper reminded “everyone to test their smoke alarms at least once a month and maintain them.” If you have questions or need assistance with your smoke alarms, contact your local fire department for help.