A Kent man died in a fire Tuesday morning at the Sunset Motel, 25006 Pacific Highway S.

Firefighters were called to the motel shortly after 7 a.m. Tuesday for a small fire in a room, according to a Kent Police media release. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

When the first engine company arrived minutes later, they found heavy smoke and flames coming from the room and spreading to the adjoining rooms. Additional resources were called to the scene and the fire was brought under control a short time later.

Firefighters entered and conducted a search of the damaged rooms. They located the body of man, believed to be the tenant of the room where the fire started. Kent Police detectives were then summoned to assist with the investigation.

“Our detectives will be working with the fire marshal to determine the origin of the fire,” Kent Police Assistant Chief Pat Lowery said. “Once we have that established we will turn to the King County Medical Examiner to identify the cause of death.”

The identity of the man has not yet been released.

The unit where the fire started was gutted. Four other units were damaged by smoke rendering them uninhabitable. The Red Cross is working with those residents to find them new living arrangements.

 

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Contact Kent Reporter Courts, government reporter Steve Hunter at shunter@kentreporter.com or 253-872-6600, ext. 5052.

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