Update 2 for July 26, 10:30 am: According to Sgt. John Urquhart with the King County Sheriff's Office, fire investigators will be using a crane to remove debris from the upper floors over the next couple of days in hopes of gaining access to lower levels and discovering the root cause.

Update for July 25 at 12:26 p.m.: Sixty firefighters from 12 different King County and Seattle Fire units responded to the four-story apartment blaze in South Park on July 24, according to a King County press release.

The North Highline Fire District was able to respond in six minutes and rescued a wheelchair-bound victim before fire consumed the building. Two people were taken to Harborview Medical Center for burns and are listed in satisfactory condition. No firefighters were injured while battling the fire.

As of July 25, fire investigators are waiting “a day or two” to determine the cause of the fire – a precautionary delay due to the structural weakness of the building.

How to help out
The fire displaced 39 tenants who are being cared for by the Seattle Chapter of the American Red Cross. Stephanie Schoo with the Red Cross said five victims were given emergency shelter at the Peace Lutheran Church at 8316 39th Ave S.W. in West Seattle on July 24 and the additional 34 victims were able to find housing with friends, neighbors and family. Starting July 25 the Red Cross will be doing client case work for the victims – addressing food and shelter needs on an individual basis. Contact the Red Cross at 206-323-2345 or at their website for information on donations or volunteer work (Schoo said they have enough volunteers to cover the apartment fire response, but they are always in need).

The Lighthouse Apartments are owned by Union Gospel Mission, a non-profit group “serving the hurting and homeless in our community through emergency and long-term services for over 79 years,” according to their website. Union Gospel Mission and the Providence Regina House in South Park have teamed up to accept clothing and food donations for the fire victims.

Here is that information from Paige Collins, manager of the Providence Regina House:

Union Gospel Mission sent me the 'greatest need' list for the families who were burned out of their homes yesterday. Here it is:

Men’s clothing (WE HAVE VERY LITTLE OF MEN'S CLOTHING AND SHOES HERE)
Full size toiletry items
Furniture for smaller apartments
Gift cards for food and stores such as Target and Fred Meyer
Non-perishable food
Bath linens
Bed linens (twin & full)
Mattresses & box springs (twin, full, queen)
Housewares of all sorts
Shoes for men, women, and children

WE HAVE LOTS OF NON PERISHABLE FOOD and women's clothing, and some hygiene items, but could use the other things!! WE ALSO COULD REALLY USE lunch/snack friendly foods, such as applesauce cups, snacky foods, etc...so these hungry/stressed folks can snack, too.

I'm here now (address below) and we will be here all day....and tomorrow....and until there is no more need!!

Paige Collins, Manager
Providence Regina House
8201 10th Ave. South, Seattle,WA 98108
206-763-9204
www.providencereginahouse.org

Original post on July 24: A fast-spreading fire engulfed the Lighthouse Apartments at 9820 Des Moines Memorial Dr. S. in South Park Sunday afternoon.

Firefighters from around the surrounding area rushed to the scene.

One female tenant was on her way to a dress fitting for her wedding scheduled in a week. Her wedding dress is not damaged but the entire contents of her lower floor unit are destroyed.

The four-floor, 16-unit complex was engulfed by the flames in the short time it took the first wave of firefighters to arrive.

Two people reportedly suffered burns that were not life-threatening, officials said. At least one man was taken to a hospital by medic unit.

Firefighters fought the blaze from multiple angles. Cars in the parking lot also erupted in flames as explosions were heard.

The apartment building is just about 9 blocks north of the new Burien city limits. Smoke was seen throughout the Highline area and, reportedly, seen as far south as Tacoma.

Metro has advised that Route 132 is temporarily rerouted on Des Moines Memorial Dr S from approximately 96th to 116th street.

According to KOMO News, Seattle Union Gospel Mission uses the apartments as transitional housing for low-income people who have completed the mission's programs.