One dead in Tacoma fire

Tacoma, Wash.

When fire broke out at the Annobee apartments in Tacoma on Tuesday morning, a sprinkler system quickly doused the flames. But that wasnt enough to save a woman who died in the apartment where the fire started.

Firefighters found the womans body on a search through the unit after arriving on scene around 11:00. Its sad, said Annobee resident Denise Palfrey.

Around 30 residents were evacuated after fire alarms sounded. Denise Crouch said she thought it was just another false alarm at first. After the alarm went off then we figured out what was going on, we saw black smoke, said Crouch.

Firefighters said it was fortunate the flames didn't spread because most of the residents are elderly and may have had trouble getting out of the building. The sprinkler system activated and contained that fire to the room of origin, said Tacoma Fire Department spokesman Joe Meinecke. Meinecke said investigators were working to determine the cause of the blaze, but early indications pointed to a cigarette in the dead womans apartment. Her name had not been released as of Tuesday evening.

Crouch said the womans death is a tragedy. Its sad, it really is, said Crouch. This is an elderly apartment and she couldnt help herself, and thats the sad part about it. She couldnt help herself get out.

Want to talk about the news of the day? Watch free streaming video on the KIRO 7 mobile app and iPad app, and join us here on Facebook.

Read more:
One dead in Tacoma fire