Video: Fatal Burien fire ruled arson

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BURIEN, Wash. - King County fire investigators have determined that an apartment fire that killed three people Sunday morning was intentionally set.

John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff's Dept. said the fire at the Tara Apartments was started in a first floor corridor on the outside of the building.

Urquhart said evidence from the scene is being sent to a State Patrol crime lab.

The fast-moving fire killed two adults and a young boy, left 50 people homeless and damaged three buildings. Property damage is estimated at $1.7 million.

No arrests have been made and no suspects have been named.

The Sheriff's Dept. said the fire is being investigated by the King County Fire Investigators and the Major Crimes Unit of the Sheriff's Office. 

Fire spread quickly

Witnesses say the fire quickly swept through the landmark apartments.

Neighbor Marc Bailey believes 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.

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.

The leading theory among neighbors is that the fire stemmed from an argument between a woman who lived there and a man whm she owed $20. Neighbors said they heard the man yell Friday night, "I'll make your life a living hell." About 24 hours later, the first was set in the hallway near their apartment.

A $10,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the person or persons responsible for the fire. If you have information you are asked to call the King County Sheriff's Office at 206-296-3311.