Renton apartment fire leaves 2 critically injured, several others homeless
RENTON, Wash. — Three people were hurt, two of them critically, when a two-alarm fire broke out early Monday at a Renton apartment building, forcing some residents out into below-freezing temperatures.
The blaze was reported about 5:30 a.m. at the apartment building, located at South 7th Street and Shattuck Avenue S. Firefighters said several ambulances were called to the scene to treat the injured.
The cause of the fire was under investigation after the flames forced at least two residents to jump from their second-story apartment to escape the fast moving blaze.
Fire officials said the flames spread from the building's upper floor to the roof.
Video sent to KOMO News via ChimeIn showed residents breaking glass while trying to escape before the roof was engulfed by flames.
Justin Alexander, a resident of the building, said he and his family managed to escape by jumping out the window.
"I thank God because he saved us from all this," Alexander said, adding that he only managed to flee the building with the clothes on his back. "There was nothing any of us could do but try to save our lives."
Firefighters said two victims were critically injured during the blaze while a third victim suffered minor injuries. The three were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Information about their conditions Monday night was pending.
When firefighters arrived, there was heavy smoke and flames coming from the building. At least five people suffered injuries during the blaze.
Residents said the fire forced residents of at least six units out into the bitterly cold, predawn weather.
Firefighters from at least five different agencies were called into knock down the flames because of the below-freezing temperatures that took a toll on the first responders.
Workers from the Red Cross were dispatched to the site to help residents whose homes were destroyed by the fire.
KOMO News reporter Michelle Esteban contributed to this report.
