About 40 residents have been displaced following a fast-moving fire in the Regency Woods development Saturday, but there were no serious injuries reported in the blaze.
At least two buildings were burned to the ground in the fire and others were damaged as wind spread the fire from building to building and started several brush fires around the site.
Neighbors were evacuated for several hours Saturday as firefighters from all around the county fought the blaze. At the peak, according to a press release, approximately 125 fire personnel from Renton, Kent, Seattle, Bellevue and departments from as far as Snohomish and Pierce Counties.
Calls started coming in to 911 about the blaze at about 1:45 p.m. When fire personnel arrived they found two buildings heavily involved, and the fire ultimately destroyed both.
Apartment residents had already taken steps to evacuate both buildings. High winds spread the flames to two neighboring buildings, as well as into wooded areas downwind for a distance of two miles.
According to initial reports, the buildings destroyed contain 16 and four units. A second, four-unit building was also damaged.
American Red Cross teams responded to the scene, and are being assisted by Regency Woods management in helping the displaced victims.
Kent fire Captain Kyle Ohashi said dry conditions since before the Fourth of July and high winds undoubtedly led to the quick spread of the fire. The building’s shape and placement also contributed as wind blew the flame the length of the building, catching multiple units as it went.