1 dead, several injured in apartment fire in Belltown

SEATTLE – One person is dead, another is in critical condition and five others are injured after an apartment fire in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood that broke out early Wednesday morning.

The Seattle Fire Department responded to the 100 block of Vine Street around 2 a.m. When firefighters arrived, they saw heavy smoke and flames rising from the building.

The fire broke out on the third floor of the residential building and spread to an apartment directly above on the fourth floor.

Information on a possible cause is not available.

Several people had to be rescued by firefighters. Residents were attempting to evacuate the building when firefighters arrived to a “chaotic” situation, according to Seattle Fire spokeswoman Kaila Lafferty. Firefighters intervened and helped people leave the building. Several people were rescued from the third and fourth floors using ladders.

Due to the fire service operations, the northbound and southbound lanes of 1st Avenue at the Vine line and the right southbound lane of 2nd Avenue are blocked.

This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.

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