Two people were hospitalized, and one later died, following a fire at the Centralia Manor Apartments early Wednesday morning, according to a news release from the Centralia Police Department.
At 6: 22 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, the Riverside Fire Authority (RFA) and the Centralia Police Department (CPD) were dispatched to the apartment building in the 300 block of West Pine Street for reports of audible fire alarms and heavy smoke. Officers and detectives arrived and observed flames coming from the third floor of the occupied apartment building.
The officers and detectives immediately entered the building and began evacuating the residents, according to the release. Firefighters from RFA arrived shortly after and began efforts to put out the fire and provide emergency medical assistance.
The evacuation required officers and detectives to force entry into multiple apartments to wake up residents and assist them in evacuating the building, according to the release. First responders were able to assist in evacuating individuals in wheelchairs, those needing walkers and individuals with pets.
Two people from different apartments were transported to Providence Centralia Hospital for breathing issues, and one of the two was later pronounced dead, according to the police department.
The City of Centralia Emergency Operation Center opened to assist emergency response personnel in coordinating between victims, the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross and Twin Transit.
The Chehalis Fire Department, Lewis County Fire District 5 (Napavine), Lewis County Fire District 6 (Chehalis), the West Thurston Regional Fire Authority, and American Medical Response responded to assist RFA with the fire.
“Residents from the apartment building were evacuated to the Centralia Salvation Army while the fire was fought and during the ensuing investigation,” the police department stated in the release. “The CPD and RFA want to thank Twin Transit for providing transportation, the Salvation Army for providing shelter accommodations, breakfast and blankets, and Lewis County Chaplaincy for being on scene to assist residents. The American Red Cross is coordinating with three families who are unable to return to their apartments due to damage.”
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The identity of the deceased will be released by the Lewis County Coroner’s Office once family has been notified.
No further information is being released at this time, according to the department.
