Kent firefighters rescued a disabled man from a house fire in the 10500 block of Southeast 211th Street the night of Aug. 1 in what was first reported to be an outdoor smoke investigation.
At 8:54 p.m. one Kent fire engine was dispatched to investigate smoke in the area of the old Panther Lake Elementary School in the 10800 block of Southeast 208th Street. After searching the area the crew found smoke coming from a 25-by-50 foot, two story building located next to a home. The owner called the building a cabana that contained both a sauna and an outdoor pool. Both buildings were located at the end of a driveway approximately 400 feet long.
After requesting additional assistance, firefighters discovered an adult male who was unable to escape the smoke filled building on his own. Entering the structure, the firefighters found the physically disabled man on a bed approximately 10 feet from the entrance to the building. The man was treated for smoke inhalation by firefighters and King County paramedics before being transported to a local hospital with nonlife threatening injuries.
“It was fortunate someone noticed the smoke and called 911,” Battalion Chief Eric Tomlinson. “The occupant could have died from smoke inhalation if help had not arrived when it did.”
After rescuing the lone occupant, firefighters were able to concentrate on extinguishing the fire and limiting the damage to the area of origin. The house adjacent to the fire was unoccupied and undamaged.
The cause of the fire was not available, but started in the area of the sauna.
There were no smoke alarms installed in the building to warn the occupant about the fire.
The damage estimate was $25,000.
