Two people in their 70s were killed in a house fire on Wetmore Avenue in Everett on Sunday morning, according to fire officials. Crews arrived just after 8 a.m., began a search and rescue while fighting the flames, and found the two victims inside the home. The Everett Fire Marshal has opened an investigation, and the Snohomish County Medical Examiner is working to identify the victims and notify next of kin.
As reported by FOX 13 Seattle, Everett Fire Department crews said they reached the Wetmore Avenue residence "in just over a minute" after receiving the dispatch and immediately began attacking the fire. The department said the victims, a man and a woman both in their 70s, were located inside during the search and rescue, and that investigators from the Everett Police Department are conducting a standard death investigation. The department extended condolences to the family and urged residents to check their smoke alarms.
Why older residents are at higher risk
Older adults face an elevated danger in home fires, and having working smoke alarms makes a measurable difference in survivability. The U.S. Fire Administration's Fire Safe Seniors guidance notes higher risk among older populations, and a National Fire Protection Association analysis shows homes with working smoke alarms have a roughly 60 percent lower death rate per reported fire than homes without functioning alarms.
Recent incidents on Wetmore
This stretch of Wetmore Avenue has drawn significant emergency responses in recent months. A Feb. 8 triplex blaze forced residents to relocate and drew a multi-agency response, underscoring how quickly fires can escalate in the area. Coverage of that earlier response, smoky Sunday blaze, highlighted photos Everett Fire Department crews shared while they worked the scene.
Everett Fire reiterated that it offers free smoke alarm installation for seniors, low-income residents and people with disabilities, per FOX 13 Seattle's reporting of the department's post. The Everett Fire Marshal's office said it will release more details when investigators determine the cause of the blaze.
