Kona Village Apartments Fire (Bremerton, WA - November 13, 1997) » Casualties and Property Loss

Deaths

Four people were killed in the Kona Village fire. They were 75, 76, 78, and 91 years of age. One resided in Apartment 417, two in 419, and one in 423. All deaths were due to smoke inhalation.

Injuries

Twelve people, eleven civilians and one firefighter, were injured in the fire. The most serious of these was a broken ankle. The summary of injuries is:

3 - Smoke inhalation
1 - Burns to the hands, smoke inhalation
1 - Burns to the hands
1 - Fractured ankle
2 - Leg pain
1 - Foot pain
1 - Leg laceration
1 - Unspecified injury
1 - Anxiety attack

None of the injuries required hospitalization.

The injuries to the extremities (5) were caused by people jumping to escape the flames and smoke. These and the number of burn and smoke injuries (9) attest to the rapidity of the fire spread.

The average age of the injured was 55 years.

The average age of the fatalities was 80 years.

All of those who died resided on the fourth floor.

Distribution of injuries:
Fourth floor - 6
Third floor - 3
Second floor - 2
Firefighter – 1

Ten of the casualties were from the fourth floor, representing 63% of all killed or injured.

Property damage

The fire caused $7.5 million in property damages to the building, contents, and automobiles. At least three properties on the south side suffered minor damage such as melted siding and damage to autos.

Indirect damage will include sample testing, site decontamination, and remediation of the asbestos, as well as efforts to contain the asbestos runoff after the fire. No dollar figures are available for that effort.

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