Neighbors say a thunderous boom ripped through a quiet Snohomish block Friday night, June 5, as a two-story house on 109th Avenue erupted in flames, burned to a total loss, and left one person dead. Fire crews locked down the scene while investigators began the slow work of figuring out what touched off the explosion.
According to KIRO 7, emergency crews were dispatched to the 109th Avenue area just after 7:20 p.m. after multiple callers reported a loud explosion and a large column of black smoke. Firefighters arrived to find the two-story home fully engulfed and said there was “no survivable space remaining inside,” so they shifted to a defensive exterior attack to keep the flames from spreading to nearby houses.
How crews responded
FOX 13 Seattle reports that Snohomish County Fire District 4 crews pulled up to find debris from the garage blasted into the roadway. Firefighters initially tried to get inside but quickly determined the structure was too unstable to enter. Battalion Chief Brian Zehe told the station that the cause of the blast remains under investigation, and search teams later recovered one person’s body from the rubble.
Where it happened
The Lynnwood Times identifies the address as 3821 109th Ave. SE and notes that Engine B43 was the first to arrive. Crews initially worked from both inside and outside the home, but a partial structural collapse forced them to pull back and continue solely with an exterior attack. The Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s Office is leading the origin-and-cause investigation, and officials have not yet released the victim’s identity.
Investigation and utilities at the scene
Per KIRO 7, investigators requested utility crews on site and asked Snohomish County PUD to check meters and service lines after the utility was dispatched to the scene. Officials also told FOX 13 Seattle that the cause of the explosion remains undetermined as fire marshals and county investigators work to pin down an ignition source and timeline.
Neighbors and next steps
Neighbors interviewed by the Lynnwood Times said they heard the blast from blocks away and watched a towering column of smoke rise above the neighborhood. Authorities say they will release more information as the county fire marshal’s investigation moves forward and are asking anyone with video, photos, or tips from the time of the explosion to contact investigators.
Safety reminders
Guidance from Puget Sound Energy and industry safety officials reminds residents that if they smell natural gas, they should leave the area immediately, avoid using electronics or open flames, and call 911 and their gas utility from a safe location. Anyone with concerns about their utilities or service after an incident like this is urged to wait for emergency crews and their utility provider to clear the scene before returning home.
