Scorched Tukwila Apartments At Risk Of Collapsing, Evacuations Ordered

Evacuations have been ordered as fire officials fear a four-story apartment building may collapse after a massive fire ravaged the structure, according to KIRO 7.

A large, three-alarm fire broke out early Tuesday morning (August 18) at Maple Crest Apartments on 65th Avenue South near South 151st Street, Tukwila Fire Chief Jay Wittwer said. Officials confirmed a man, a woman, and a young female child died in the incident after being trapped in a unit.

All residents have been accounted for, including those feared missing early in the incident. Four people and a rescued cat were treated at the scene.

Fire crews had trouble approaching the source of the blaze since it started at the back of the building. Behind the apartments is a "sheer drop-off of 50 to 70 feet directly behind it," reporters learned. As a result, firefighters had to spray the fire from one direction.

"Because of the large amount of water being used to fight the fire, there is concern that the hillside below the building is eroding and could come down onto Interurban Avenue South, along with the building," KIRO 7 wrote. "There is also the possibility that the building could collapse onto Interurban even if the hillside does not."

Evacuation orders are in place for the 15900 block of Interurban, which is closed between Fort Dent Way and South 144th Street.