Newcastle Neighbor Alerts Sleeping Resident to Kitchen Fire

A Newcastle neighbor gets credit from the Bellevue Fire Department for warning a sleeping resident of a fire that originated in a kitchen Monday night, the department reported.

The home did not have working smoke detectors, the Bellevue Fire Department reported. 

According to the Bellevue Fire Department, firefighters responded to a cell phone call around 7:30 p.m. Monday night about a residential structure fire in the 8800 block of 122nd Court Southeast in Newcastle and found heavy flames and smoke coming from the kitchen area of a single family home. 

Responding crews included two Bellevue fire engines, two ladder trucks, a Paramedic Supervisor and two battalion chiefs responded, according to a press release from the Bellevue Fire Department. An Eastside Fire and Rescue engine responded to the initial call for more assistance, but was canceled when the on-scene crews rapidly brought the fire under control. The fire was under control within 20 minutes, according to the Bellevue Fire Department.

Bellevue fire investigators are working with the homeowner and occupant for more information and are conducting an investigation. Investigation are focused on the kitchen area but the cause remains undetermined, according to the Bellevue Fire Department.

Initial damage estimate is about $200,000 to both structure and contents.

No injuries were reported but four people were displaced by the incident, two adults and two children. The Red Cross was on scene assisting with logistics.  Two Great Dane dogs will be housed in Issaquah, according to the Bellevue Fire Department.

The Bellevue Fire Department urges all homeowners to check the batteries in smoke detectors at least every six months to assure they are in properly working order.