Local criminal investigation underway in Everett apartment fire that displaced 15 people

Fire investigators have launched a criminal investigation into a Halloween night apartment fire in Snohomish County that displaced 15 people and trapped a woman and her 2-year-old daughter on a fourth-floor balcony.

The fire broke out at the HighGrove Apartments on Admiralty Way. South County Fire said flames were contained to a fourth-floor hallway and did not spread into any apartment units, though smoke and water damage forced 15 people from their homes.

Ariel Henderson said she and a friend were getting ready inside their apartment Halloween night when her friend opened the door and discovered flames filling the hallway.

“She opens the door and this whole thing right here, everywhere, even like to the stairs, was lit on fire,” Henderson said.

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Henderson said the fire continued moving closer to their apartment, prompting her friend to tell everyone to get to the balcony.

“She’s like, ‘Grab the kids.’ She’s like, ‘I don’t know what to do! Everybody go! Go to the balcony! Go! Run! Run! Run!’” Henderson recalled.

Henderson said she, her 2-year-old daughter and her friend were trapped on the balcony as the fire burned outside their unit. At one point, Henderson said she considered jumping with her daughter.

“I had to think of something. Something,” Henderson said. “It was either that or we were going to jump together. But I was like, if we both jump, one of us is going to get hurt.”

South County Fire crews contained the flames before firefighters were able to get them out of the building.

“They were able to get them out once the fire was put out, and they were able to escort them down the back side of the building to safety,” South County Fire spokesperson Brian Clark said.

Henderson said she burned her arm while escaping but expressed relief that she and her daughter made it out.

“I am so thankful,” Henderson said. “Oh my gosh. I am so beyond thankful.”

Although Henderson said her apartment escaped damage, smoke and water damage elsewhere in the building displaced 15 residents.

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Support 7 and the American Red Cross are assisting those residents as crews assess the damage and cleanup continues.

Investigators are now conducting a criminal investigation into what caused the fire.

Clark said investigators have been speaking with residents and others in the community.

The information provided did not include additional details about what prompted the criminal investigation or whether investigators have identified a suspect.