BURIEN, Wash. - Two adults and a child were killed in a fire that destroyed two apartment buildings in Burien early Sunday morning.

Late Sunday, investigators labeled the fire "suspicious" and said the case is being handed over to criminal investigators at the sheriff's department, who will look for evidence of arson.

"It could end up being criminal based on the cause. They called us in because of fatalities - and because there is no obvious accidental sign," said John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff's Dept.

Neighbor Marc Bailey believes it's the child who was killed is the 7-year-old he tried to rescue as the fire raged.

"It's very heartbreaking.  I feel for the family and the kids," he said.

Witnesses say the fire quickly swept through the landmark apartments.

Many people said they woke up to the smell of smoke or screaming.

"Everyone was running out of the building. My husband was yelling 'there's fire coming out of the roof' and I looked up and I heard a crash," said Elizabeth Baggott.

Firefighters say when they arrived, the first building was completely involved and flames had already spread to the second.

Many people had to jump from a window or climb down the side of the building to escape.

"I hopped over the railing and climbed over this gate thing and that's how we all got out," said Andrew Zablocky.

The fire chief said six people were transported to hospitals with injuries ranging from burns to a broken pelvis.    

Dave Nelson of King County Fire District 20 said first building was completely destroyed and the second one had major damage to 3/4 of the building.

The Red Cross is trying to find shelter for displaced residents.