2 hurt as furnace explosion burns multi-million dollar homes
SEATTLE -- Two people were hurt and six homes were damaged when a furnace exploded on a waterfront home under construction along Lake Washington Monday.
The 3-alarm fire broke out at the home in the 5100 block of Laurelcrest Lane just after 3:30 p.m. A thick black column of smoke was visible across much of Seattle and the Lake Washington shores.
One construction worker suffered serious burns and was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, but his condition was not known. A Seattle firefighter had to be treated for heat exhaustion.
The raging blaze sent embers flying across the neighborhood and five nearby homes suffered fire damage as well, with the immediate neighbors' homes suffering significant damage, officials said.
Investigators said the fire started when paint fumes ignited after the furnace turned on.
Damage is estimated at over $7 million.
The 3-alarm fire broke out at the home in the 5100 block of Laurelcrest Lane just after 3:30 p.m. A thick black column of smoke was visible across much of Seattle and the Lake Washington shores.
One construction worker suffered serious burns and was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, but his condition was not known. A Seattle firefighter had to be treated for heat exhaustion.
The raging blaze sent embers flying across the neighborhood and five nearby homes suffered fire damage as well, with the immediate neighbors' homes suffering significant damage, officials said.
Investigators said the fire started when paint fumes ignited after the furnace turned on.
Damage is estimated at over $7 million.
I smell a huge lawsuit in the very near future!
 @NGerblansky I do a well. How much common sense does it take to know to turn that furnace off (and ensure the gas to it is also off) when you're working with something that is flammable? That is just plain negligence.Â
Oops.
Must have been one big furnace
OUCH, I can see who is about to be sued. Furnace maker, person inserting gas lines, or some one oopsed
 @lee986321 I don't know if the story has been updated since you posted, but it looks to be the construction workers' fault. They used materials that had flammable gases in an area with an open flame (the furnace).Â