Last of 91 displaced in apartment fire find temporary housing

The last of the 91 people displaced by the apartment fire on June 13 have found at least temporary housing, said Federal Way's emergency manager, Ray Gross.

The last of the 91 people displaced by the apartment fire on June 13 have found at least temporary housing, said Federal Way’s emergency manager, Ray Gross.

One large family and a couple, the nine people still displaced, left the shelter at New Hope Christian Fellowship on June 27.

The Federal Way community stepped up in the weeks following the fire to provide donations of household goods, said Lt. Jeff Bellinghausen, community affairs officer for South King Fire and Rescue.

“We’re really proud of the Federal Way citizens,” Bellinghausen said.

Families were staying in shelters immediately following the fire, and many are still staying with friends and family, so some of the donations can’t be used yet, Gross said. He is unaware of any needs still unmet, he said.

Several days after the fire were spent getting displaced renters functioning before the housing hunt began, Gross said. The two weeks for everyone to get settled is typical, he said.

In the aftermath of the fire, officials are taking advantage of the opportunity to talk about South King Fire and Rescue actions and fire safety, Bellinghausen said.

Members of the responding crew will talk about what they did to respond to the fire and why, audio from the call will be played and dispatch times shared, he said. Safety will also be a topic, but especially with the case still open, there will be no finger pointing.

“I think the folks that were displaced have had enough harping at them,” Bellinghausen said.

He expects some tough questions from victims of the fire, he said, including when people can return to the apartments to get their personal belongings, which is up to the landlord, Bellinghausen said. He also expects questions about the ongoing investigation into the fire, he said.

“I wish we had real clear-cut statements and answers,” he said.