A fire in an apartment unit Sunday evening in Kent forced the residents to flee the unit to avoid injury.

The fire forced three families from the apartment.

At 11:30 p.m. the Kent Fire Department, South King Fire and Rescue and Medic One crews were notified of a possible apartment fire in the 23800 block of 30th Avenue South. When the firefighters arrived they found heavy smoke and flames from a third floor unit of the building. Fire crews were able to make a very quick stop and limit the fire damage to the unit where the fire started.

Residents of the unit where the fire started were at home, asleep, at the time of the fire. They were able to escape with only the clothes on their back, narrowly avoiding seriously injury. The contents of their residence are a complete loss. Other units below the fire had considerable water damage and the people living there were forced to find other living arrangements.

The American Red Cross provided accommodations and some of the necessities for the victims. Additionally the apartment complex management provided one of the displaced families another apartment.

The investigation into the fire is still ongoing. Damage estimates are not available at this time.

The Kent Fire Department would like to remind you that as we get into the colder weather and may need additional heat sources that you only use those heaters designed to be used in your home and that you use them according to the manufactures instructions.