Fall City home destroyed by Christmas blaze

One Fall City family's holiday celebration was abruptly cut short by

a house fire Christmas Day that gutted the upper floor and sent three

people to the hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

The fire, which started around 2:30 p.m. Saturday, effectively

destroyed the home located at 35916 S.E. 49th Street and brought a response

from several local agencies, including the Fall City Fire Department,

Eastside Fire and Rescue out of Carnation and the Snoqualmie Fire Department.

Two of the home's occupants, a 57-year-old woman and her adult

son, were subsequently transported to Overlake Hospital for treatment.

According to Chief Chris Conner of the Fall City Fire Department, one of

his volunteer firefighters was also transported, treated and released due

to smoke inhalation. The names of the victims have not been released.

Conner added the home's occupants attempted to put out the

blaze with a home fire extinguisher.

"We arrived eight minutes after the 911 call and found the second

floor engulfed in flames," he commented. "A fire extinguisher was used but

the fire was way too big.

"They had a family gathering planned for the day and there

may have been four or five in the house."

Conner added the cause of the fire was still under investigation

pending some interviews. Investigators believe the fire may have been started by

an open flame _ such as a candle _ in an upstairs bedroom, but are

withholding an official determination until the study is completed. The initial

damage estimate from the fire was $150,000.

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