Fire burns Bellevue apartment building
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BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Dozens of people were tossed out into the cold Tuesday night after a 2-alarm fire burned their apartment building in Bellevue.
The fire broke out on the third floor of the 'A' building at the Newporter Apartments around 8:30 p.m., fire officials said.
Everyone inside managed to escape safely and no one was hurt.
Sergio Chavez was on date night and got a frantic text from his babysitter.
"She called me and said, 'your apartment's on fire!' And I was like, we're leaving!" Chavez said.
Officials said the height of the fire made fighting it difficult.
"We have a large, non-sprinkled building," said Lt. Troy Donlin with Bellevue Fire. "It's a big fire challenge for us. We know there is a lot of fire in the attic space."
There weren't sprinklers but there were alarms and it helped Nicole Banse and her son Keegan escape.
"I just expected to come home and watch some TV and go to bed and instead I caught a fire," Banse said.
But Keegan needed a rescue -- not for him, but for his pet fish Jaws.
"He's a beta fish," Keegan said.
Nicole Banse went back inside to rescue the bowl.
"He's gonna cry over the fish and then I would feel bad," Nicole Banse said.
Officials originally said between 50-60 people were displaced by the fire, but Red Cross officials said many were able to return to their units later that night and that only 19 needed their assistance.
There is no word yet what sparked the fire.
Video courtesy: Darryl Singleton
The fire broke out on the third floor of the 'A' building at the Newporter Apartments around 8:30 p.m., fire officials said.
Everyone inside managed to escape safely and no one was hurt.
Sergio Chavez was on date night and got a frantic text from his babysitter.
"She called me and said, 'your apartment's on fire!' And I was like, we're leaving!" Chavez said.
Officials said the height of the fire made fighting it difficult.
"We have a large, non-sprinkled building," said Lt. Troy Donlin with Bellevue Fire. "It's a big fire challenge for us. We know there is a lot of fire in the attic space."
There weren't sprinklers but there were alarms and it helped Nicole Banse and her son Keegan escape.
"I just expected to come home and watch some TV and go to bed and instead I caught a fire," Banse said.
But Keegan needed a rescue -- not for him, but for his pet fish Jaws.
"He's a beta fish," Keegan said.
Nicole Banse went back inside to rescue the bowl.
"He's gonna cry over the fish and then I would feel bad," Nicole Banse said.
Officials originally said between 50-60 people were displaced by the fire, but Red Cross officials said many were able to return to their units later that night and that only 19 needed their assistance.
There is no word yet what sparked the fire.
Video courtesy: Darryl Singleton
Christmas tree dried out.. and went up like a match!
If these people had renters insurance there would be no need for the red cross. Renters insurance is not very expensive.
@godawgs Insurance doesn't provide for immediate needs such as something warm to wear if all you have is the pajamas on your back or a place to stay for the rest of the night & breakfast the next morning but the Red Cross does.
@katiemcc insurance will cover additional living expense. Food, clothing, and somewhere to sleep would be covered by your insurance.
@godawgs Days or weeks, maybe even months later, they'll cover it & maybe reimburse what you've had to take care of out of your pocket but they don't work that quickly to cover immediate needs.
I live right around the corner and was wondering what all the commotion was about. Drove by this morning and it looks like the roof and top units are burned out. Good job Bellevue FD in keeping it contained and from spreading to the other buildings. I would never live in a apartment without a sprinkler system.
@I Like Meat: I can't agree with you more. My apartment complex is sprinklered inside and out. We have had a couple of false fire alarms but because of the sprinkler system I was never really concerned. Whew!
I thank God my home was spared, but all the apt ahead of mine were not, I pray for all those families to heal! I never expected in a million years for this to happen!
To many fires
@Mike LundbergJust think about what you are saying for a moment and realize that she may have, just may have, had it just a bit harder in life then you have. Just food for thought.
There seems to be 2-3 apartment fires per month in the news now days. You never know what the people around you are up to or how safe they are. Better to get renter's insurance for $15/month. Mine is free with my auto insurance bundle.
 @Magic 8 Ball My apartment complex requires Renter's insurance as a condition of the lease. I was annoyed, but for $11 a month, it does provide some peace of mind and I think it should be standard practice.
 @Magic 8 Ball You are right there are about 2-3 apartment fires a month. That is 2-3 to many in my opinion.
Can some one get me in contact with an agency that is helping the victims our. A nonprofit I run, Redeeming Soles, would like to furnish shoe to them all.
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Thanks
The Red Cross is working to find temporary housing for the six displaced families as all Newporter units are occupied. After housing is arranged then donations of food, clothing, furniture and housewares can be accepted. The Newport Hills Community Church (across the street from the apartment building) will hold a fundraising pancake breakfast on Saturday, December 8, from 9- 11 a.m. to help with the cost of temporary housing. Newport Hills Community Church is located at 5833 119th Ave SE in Bellevue. Pastor Paul Burnham, Sr. and his wife Leona are coordinating the fundraiser. For additional information or to coordinate donation efforts with them you can call 425-746-8034.
 @Scott Sowle American Red Cross.
 @Furd Thanks for the info. I did contact them and await how we can provide them with footwear.
King of Hills. D