There was a residential structure fire in the 9000 block of S.E. 79th Street at 5:03 on Tuesday morning, March 31, according to a press release from Battalion Chief Darrel Gordon.

Mercer Island, Bellevue and Eastside Fire and Rescue Departments responded to the fire.

The 4,500 square foot residence was occupied at the time of fire, and the owner was awoken by the sound of breaking glass when a window shattered due to the intensity of the fire. The homeowner quickly called 911 and then tried to extinguish as much of the exterior fire as possible with a garden hose while waiting for the arrival of fire crews.

Arriving on scene within minutes, firefighters were able to extinguish the flames before they could reach the home’s interior. Damage was limited to the roof eaves directly above the fire’s point of origination.

A total of seven fire apparatus and approximately 26 firefighters were used at this incident, including: seven firefighters on duty at Mercer Island, 15 firefighters from Bellevue and four irefighters from Eastside Fire and Rescue.

The cause of the fire appears to be accidental, but is still under investigation. Preliminary damage estimates to the building are $50,000.