Woman escapes fire after smoke detector sounds

A young Bellevue woman woke up Monday to the sound of a smoke detector alarm and was able to safely escape an apartment that was eventually destroyed by a fire. The fire started in a bedroom on the first-floor from what the occupant claimed may have been an unattended votive candle.

Firefighters from Bellevue, Kirkland and Redmond worked to control the fire at the Cedar Terrace Apartments in the 3200 block of 115th Ave. N.E. The first 911 call at 8:50 a.m. described flames shooting out from a first-floor window and extending to the roof of the two-story building. Several used fire extinguishers lay near the window where bystanders attempted to battle the flames.

The fire damaged two dwelling units to the point that they will need repair work before they will be habitable again. An apartment manager said that all displaced residents will immediately be able to move into some available units that are on site.

The damage estimate is expected to be nearly $200,000. Neither firefighters nor residents reported any injuries from the fire.