SEATTLE — Two people are injured and six people are displaced after a house fire in the Ballard area Saturday morning.
The Seattle Fire Department (SFD) responded to a fire on the 1100 block of Northwest 65th Street around 9 a.m. Saturday.
David Best and his girlfriend were sleeping on the top floor when they noticed smoke. He went downstairs to investigate.
“I went over to the basement door and looking down to the right-hand side of the basement stairs, everything was on fire,” Best said.
Best's girlfriend was overcome by smoke and trapped on the top floor of the home. Firefighters were able to rescue her by breaking through the second-story window.
Medics were attempting life-saving efforts on scene, according to SFD. The woman was taken to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition.
Ashley Dalby lives in another room in the home. She was asleep when she heard yelling.
“I opened the bedroom door and saw all this smoke and I just kind of closed my eyes and felt my way around and held my breath as best as I could,” Dalby said.
A man was also transported to the hospital in stable condition and a Seattle firefighter suffered minor injuries but was able to return to work. Six others were displaced, according to SFD. One cat died in the fire and another is unaccounted for, according to firefighters.
St. Paul’s United Church of Christ hosts a shelter across the street and tried to offer support to the displaced roommates. Neighbors brought blankets and food.
“It's about making phone calls letting everyone know we're ok and figuring out what we're going to do,” Dalby said.
Volunteers from the Red Cross were at the scene offering support, as well.