Everett Fire Department crews responded to a reported house fire at 5 minutes before noon between Broadway Avenue and Lombard Avenue, fronting 23rd street.

Crews found fire from the roof of one home spreading to the roof of a neighboring home.

The arriving Battalion Chief called a second alarm in order to provide enough resources to stop further fire spread and begin to contain and extinguish the fires. Crews attacked the fires from both inside and outside of the structures.

The residents of the eastern-most home were confirmed to be outside of the home as the incident started. The home to the west was in foreclosure and was not expected to have any residents.

Crews are still battling very stubborn and hard-to-extinguish attic fires in both structures.

The fire scene is being investigated as crews bring in a track hoe to aid in final extinguishment of inaccessible smoldering hot spots. Both houses are complete losses. The damage to the homes is estimated at $350,000 total. After the hot spots are extinguished crews will erect fencing in support of safety.