AUBURN, Wash. — About 60 people were forced out of their apartments after a three-alarm fire in Auburn Sunday night.
A passerby called 911 about 9:30 p.m. to report the fire at the Riverfront Apartments, which is located on the 1600 block of 8th Street NE.
Investigators believe the fire began in a carport area connected to the apartment building and spread through an enclosed stairwell to all three floors.
Apartment residents pulled the fire alarm and helped people escape, including a woman who jumped from a third-floor balcony to the second floor, according to Valley Regional Fire Authority.
No injuries were reported but a litter of puppies died in the fire, according to Valley Regional Fire.
Twenty of the building's 36 units were damaged, ranging from light smoke to heavy fire damage. Seven units are a total loss, according to Valley Regional Fire.
The Red Cross said more than a dozen children were among those displaced by the fire.
Auburn police helped take residents to Auburn High School where they got help from the Red Cross. The property management group that owns the building has said they will help residents find housing while the building is inhabitable, according to Valley Regional Fire.
The fire started as a two-alarm but was upgraded to a three-alarm fire as more resources were requested. Valley Regional Fire, South King Fire, and Puget Sound Fire responded to the scene.
Fire crews remained at the scene Monday morning to secure the area and monitor possible hot spots. Valley Regional Fire said a “majority of the building” was searched, and nothing was found.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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