UPDATE: 5:35 pm
Multiple metro area fire departments battled a blaze at Country Estates Apartments in Bellevue on Wednesday afternoon. All residents in the 24-unit complex are displaced, but no injuries are reported.
Firefighters were called to Country Estates around 12:45 p.m. and saw black smoke and fire upon arrival. The fire, according to authorities, started in an upper-floor unit and ran up the balcony and spread across the roof of the building.
Between 30 and 40 firefighters responded and all residents were evacuated. 3 News now spoke with residents who are worried about what will happen next. Chelsea Moseman has lived in the complex for three years.
"I grabbed my cat and my backpack and just left, but now it looks like there is nothing to come back to," she said.
The Bellevue Fire Department says the wind, the age of the building, no fire stops and no sprinkler system made fighting the blaze a challenge.
The fire is under investigation, but BPD says improper disposal of smoking material could be the cause.
Multiple fire departments on scene are all working tirelessly to put out the fire. I know it’s hot for them, and it’s windy, but they are doing incredible work. #CountryEstatesApartments pic.twitter.com/P4U1L35x5m
— BPD Officer Jess Manning (@ofc_jessmanning) April 12, 2023
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