A residential fire in Selleck displaced a family the evening of Dec. 23.

King County Fire District 47, along with Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety were dispatched at10:55 pm. Mountain View Fire and Rescue and the Enumclaw Fire Department were called later, according to a press release.

The fire started out in the chimney but had already spread to the roof before a 13-year-old neighbor noticed the flames.

Because there are no fire hydrants in Selleck, firefighters had to shuttle in water from Ravensdale,about seven miles west of the scene. Despite this obstacle, they were able to get the fire under control, but not completely out, by 2:30 am. Firefighters remained on scene for more than eight hours.

A newlywed couple live in the house and made it out safely with their pet snake. Firefighters were able to save some of their belongings from the first floor.

Volunteers from the Red Cross responded and put the couple up in a motel for the weekend.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, chimney fires are responsible for an estimated $126.1 million in property damage each year. KCFD 47 would like to remind homeowners to have their chimneys cleaned and inspected at least once a year by a certified chimney sweep.