6-Year-Old Alerts Family to House Fire

A Fourth of July weekend fire in Everett, Washington, destroyed two homes and displaced a family of eight after a 6-year-old girl alerted relatives as flames spread through the house. No injuries were reported, and firefighters believe the fire started in a backyard, according to KIRO 7. Travis Blackshire, whose home was destroyed, said he, his wife and their six children escaped after the child raised the alarm. The Everett Fire Department said the cause remains under investigation. ### How did the family get out before firefighters arrived? Travis Blackshire told KIRO 7 that his 6-year-old daughter was in the bathroom when the fire flared. He said she “happened to be using the bathroom right when the flames exploded,” then ran out screaming to alert the rest of the family. (kiro7.com) Blackshire said the girl reached her 15-year-old sibling, and the two began shouting for everyone to wake up. “Everybody get up, everybody get up,” he recalled them yelling, describing the warning that prompted the family’s evacuation. ### What did Blackshire say he saw inside the house? Alyona, one of Blackshire’s daughters, told KIRO 7 she first saw the fire when she looked out a window. “I looked out the window and see the house is on fire,” she said. (kiro7.com) Blackshire said he ran into his daughters’ room and saw flames entering it. (kiro7.com) He told the station that was the moment “the panic started kicking in.” As he walked through the remains of the home, he described the damage in blunt terms: “There’s insulation and smoke everywhere.” ### How extensive was the damage in Everett? (kiro7.com) KIRO 7 reported that the fire destroyed two homes in Everett over the holiday weekend. The station said Blackshire’s family was among those displaced and that the family is now staying in a hotel. A separate report citing South County Fire described a July 5 Everett blaze north of Lake Stickney in which two homes were engulfed and more than 30 firefighters took about 40 minutes to control the fire. (kiro7.com) That report said all residents escaped safely, one dog was rescued, one cat died and several pets were missing. Support 7 and American Red Cross volunteers were assisting 15 displaced residents. ### What has the family said about starting over? Blackshire told KIRO 7 that much of the family’s property was ruined. “All my clothes are destroyed. Our bed, all of our belongings,” he said as he surveyed the charred interior. He also described the strain of trying to reassure his family after the loss. “My whole livelihood and everything I worked for” is gone, he said, adding that he now has to start over “from ground zero.” He said he was proud of his children and called their actions heroic. (lynnwoodtimes.com) ### What happens next for the investigation and the family? (kiro7.com) The Everett Fire Department told KIRO 7 that the cause of the fire is still under investigation. KIRO 7 reported that firefighters believe the fire started in a backyard, but the department has not announced a final cause. Blackshire said he is searching for housing and contacting property owners to begin applications for a new place to live. (kiro7.com) KIRO 7 reported that a GoFundMe page has been established to support the family as they seek longer-term housing after the fire.