A house fire in Marysville on Thursday afternoon was sparked by a cat knocking over a lit candle, according to the Marysville Fire District.
Crews were dispatched to the home at 1:52 p.m. and found heavy smoke pouring from the single-story house.
The fire was contained in the living room and extinguished quickly.
The homeowner, a 76-year-old woman, reported that the fire began when the cat overturned the candle, igniting nearby flammable materials.
Working smoke detectors in the home alerted her to the danger.
The homeowner was taken to a local hospital for evaluation after inhaling smoke. No other injuries were reported.
The cat, named Bonnie, is still unaccounted for.
The fire caused an estimated $35,000 in property damage.
First responders were assisted by several agencies, including the Tulalip Bay Fire Department, Snohomish County Fire District #22, Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue, and the Marysville Police Department.
Officials remind residents never to leave lit candles unattended.
“Candles can easily ignite nearby materials and cause fires to spread quickly throughout a home,” the fire district noted.
They also encouraged homeowners to have a fire extinguisher and know how to use it in case of emergencies.
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