Firefighters battle fatal apartment complex fire

Everett firefighters responded Thursday night, Dec. 31, to a fire at the Bluffs at Evergreen apartment complex at 2 West Casino Road. The three-alarm fire claimed one life and 12 other people were transported to area hospitals.

The fire was initially reported at 7:09 p.m. as a possible mattress fire. Crews arriving on scene saw smoke and flames coming from the building. They quickly discovered the deceased individual and several other residents needing rescue and medical aid. First responders called for additional backup and more than 90 firefighters and emergency medical personnel responded from Everett and neighboring communities.

“The building was not equipped with a fire sprinkler system, and the fire was able to travel into the attic and spread quickly through the building,” said Assistant Fire Marshal Eric Hicks. “We’ll be working into tomorrow to put out the fire and complete our investigation of the cause.”

Firefighters and emergency medical personnel treated 15 people, ages 5 to 60 years old, for injuries, including smoke inhalation, burns and injuries from being dropped out of upper-story windows. Twelve of the 15 injured individuals were transported to area hospitals, including a 57-year-old woman in critical condition, and three others in serious condition. 

The fire displaced more than 100 residents, who were being helped by volunteers with the American Red Cross. An emergency shelter has been established at a nearby church. Everett Transit provided two buses for temporary shelter on scene, and to transport residents to the emergency shelter.

Seven of the building’s 30 units were affected by the fire, and the remaining 23 units were damaged by smoke and water. Crews are expected to continue working through the night and into Friday morning to fully extinguish the fire.