Tukwila apartment fire leaves three deceased, prompts landslide warning

Published 1:30 pm Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Updated 9:45 am, August 18, 2021

An apartment fire in Tukwila early Monday morning caused the deaths of three residents and authorities had to issue a landslide warning in the wake of the response.

Two adults and one child are reportedly deceased after the three-alarm fire in the apartment complex at S 151 St and 65th Ave. The Tukwila Fire department reportedly responded to the fire around 6 am.

First responders fought the fire and helped escaping residents with their injuries for hours. Eventually, the complex’s roof collapsed from the damage.

According to a tweet from the Tukwila Children’s foundation, 31 families were displaced by the fire. The tweet requested donations of items like toiletries, hygiene products, phone chargers, towels, socks, underwear and sweats to be donated to Riverton Methodist Church on behalf of the families.

Other residents were directed to the Tukwila Community Center after responders became worried about the possibility of the structure sliding down the hill after the water used to fight the fire may have weakened the structural integrity of the hill.

Structural engineers and surveillance drones were brought to the scene to monitor the potential landslide. The portion of Interurban Avenue South nearing the bottom of the hillside was kept clear for safety.

Due to precautionary measures, residents in another apartment building near the hillside was also evacuated.