The Mercer Island Fire Department responded to a house fire on East Mercer Way at 11:35 a.m. Wednesday morning, Oct. 15. The homeowner was inside and said she heard “crackling” in the kitchen, said Fire Chief Steve Heitman.
The homeowner got out safe and tried to fight the flames with a garden hose, but the fire extended into the attic. Fire units from Seattle, Bellevue and Eastside Fire & Rescue were called in to provide extra resources. Units started leaving the scene at about 1 p.m.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, Heitman said.
MIFD units found the dwelling with flames and dark smoke venting from the roof. The fire involved approximately 10 percent of the structure on the main floor and approximately 90 percent of the attic space, according to a press release.
The fire response was upgraded to a second alarm. A total of 20 units responded, with 51 firefighters at the incident.
