Couch fire evacuates The Seasons at Lea Hill

A couch fire at an Auburn apartment complex early Saturday morning forced a full evacuation and about $50,000 in damages. No one was seriously injured.

The Valley Regional Fire Authority was dispatched to a report of fire alarm activation at The Seasons at the Lea Hill apartment complex, 12722 SE 312th St., #B412.

Residents on location reported smoke and flames visible through an apartment located on the fourth. Upon arrival, Engine 34 identified the source of the fire to be a couch in an apartment unit on the fourth floor. The couch fire activated the fire sprinkler system, which effectively extinguished the fire.

The resident of the unit was evaluated on scene for smoke inhalation and declined further medical treatment. The entire apartment complex was evacuated to extinguish the couch fire and for removal of smoke and water.

The cause of the fire was from careless use of smoking material. The damage to the apartment has been estimated at $50,000.

The apartment complex sustained limited damage to the unit from fire since the fire sprinkler system had activated. The extent of the damage was mainly from water damage to the apartment units on the fourth, third and second floors. The fire sprinkler system was shut down after confirmation of the couch fire being extinguished on the fourth floor.

Firefighters worked diligently to channel and remove water from the damaged apartment units.

The VRFA assisted apartment management with contacting commercial salvage and water removal company for further removal of water from the apartment complex.