Kent Fire Department investigators have determined the cause of both residential fires which took place today on Kent’s east hill.

The first fire, which was reported at 1 a.m. in the 12400 block of Southeast 235th Street was caused by a discarded cigarette smoldering in an upholstered chair. The fire resulted in approximately $100,000 in damages and displaced a family of three. No one was injured in this fire, in part due to working smoke alarms which woke the family and allowed them time to escape.

The second fire took place at 6:48 a.m. in the 11000 block of Southeast 217th Street. It was caused by a malfunction in an electrical device. Damage from this fire was estimated at $150,000. One adult female resident was sent to a local hospital as a precaution after suffering from smoke inhalation when she attempted to re-enter her home for valuables. Smoke alarms were present but were not working in the home.