Man dies after house fire near Fairwood

King County Sheriff's Office investigating cause of deadly blaze

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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A man reportedly died in a home that caught fire near the Fairwood neighborhood in Kent, Washington. Firefighters responded to the scene but were unable to save the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The King County Sheriff's Office is investigating the cause of the fire.

Why it matters

House fires can have devastating consequences, especially when they result in loss of life. The investigation into the cause of this deadly blaze will aim to determine if any safety or prevention measures could have been taken to avoid the tragedy.

The details

According to authorities, Puget Sound Fire, Renton Regional Fire Authority and King County Medic One responded to the residential fire in the 19700 block of 138th Avenue Southeast in the early morning of Feb. 13. Firefighters located the man inside the home and removed him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The King County Sheriff's Office is now investigating the cause of the fire, which is standard procedure for any fire and death.

  • The fire occurred in the early morning of February 13, 2026.

The players

King County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency investigating the cause of the deadly house fire.

Puget Sound Fire

The fire department that responded to the scene and attempted to rescue the victim.

Renton Regional Fire Authority

The fire department that also responded to the scene and assisted in the rescue efforts.

King County Medic One

The emergency medical services provider that responded to the scene.

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What they’re saying

“'There was a fire and death. Both are under investigation. It is standard procedure for any fire and death for the sheriff's office to respond and assist in the investigation.'”

— Earl Seratt, Sergeant, King County Sheriff's Office (kentreporter.com)

What’s next

The King County Medical Examiner's Office will identify the victim and determine the cause and manner of death.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the importance of fire safety and prevention measures in residential areas. The investigation into the cause of the blaze will aim to identify any factors that may have contributed to the loss of life, with the goal of preventing similar occurrences in the future.