The Kirkland Fire Department responded to an early morning call on May 29, reporting a large structure fire at an apartment complex at 10835 N.E. 68th St.

Battalion Chief Mike Jeffery said about 15 units from Kirkland, Redmond, Bellevue and Bothell responded to the call at about 3 a.m. Residents were evacuated immediately and were assisted by the Red Cross while firefighters fought the flames.

Jeffery said there were no injuries and that everyone had left the apartment before they could get hurt. Firefighters had to surround the building to get the fire out, which was put out about 30 minutes after they arrived.

With both water and power cut off form the building and extensive fire damage, the apartment building will be uninhabitable for the next several weeks, Jeffery said. While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, firefighters believe it originated from the backside of the building.

Firefighters work out a plan to address the fire as quickly as possible. Photo Courtesy of the Kirkland Fire Department