Firefighters battled a massive, 3-alarm fire in Lynnwood Wednesday night.
The fire broke out around 9:30 p.m. near 19800 Scribes Lake Road, between 196th St. SW and 200th St. SW.
Crews said the apartment complex was under construction and was unoccupied.
“Right now they’re using defensing methods to keep the fire isolated to the construction site,” said Julie Moore, Lynnwood Fire PIO.
Moore said two firefighters were injured while battling the blaze. They were taken to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Officials said more than 100 residents from two nearby apartment complexes were evacuated.
There were also concerns about the power lines overhead. Moore said crews from the Snohomish County Public Utilities District were called in and shut off power to the area.
At one point, part of the building collapsed under the intense heat and flames.
About 20 minutes later another side collapsed.
“The structure is collapsing in on itself. The surrounding buildings seem to be ok for now,” said Moore.
The fire was considered under control just before midnight. But, crews were expected to stay on scene overnight to monitor any flare-ups.
They said the building was a total loss.
One of the adjacent apartment buildings sustained minor heat damage, but is otherwise ok.
Officials said the evacuated residents won’t be able to return to their nearby apartments until Thursday. The Red Cross was helping those families find shelter overnight.
Crews are asking people to stay clear of the area.
No word yet on what may have sparked the fire. The Fire Marshal will be on site on Thursday to begin that investigation.
