Early-morning fire still under investigation

Jackie Valley

Emergency crews finish surveying the house at 8:30 a.m. after an early-morning fire that is still under investigation. JACKIE VALLEY | DAILY KENT STATER

Credit: DKS Editors

Damage from the fire is visible from the back and sides of the home. JACKIE VALLEY | DAILY KENT STATER

Credit: DKS Editors

A house fire at 605 Crain Ave. that started around 5:30 a.m. today is under investigation, said Sgt. Sam Todd of the Kent Police Department.

There were no injuries, but the fire displaced a few people living in the house, Todd said. The Red Cross arrived earlier this morning to help the tenants of the single-family home. No students lived in the home.

“It’s going to be a while before it’s livable,” said Todd, referring to the damage stretching from the back of the house to the front windows and second floor.

Kevin Smith, whose father and sister own the rental property, said he believes about four people lived in the house, including a 4-year-old girl. His family has owned the house for 20 years.

“My next step is to see if the house needs to be totaled,” Smith said. “It looks like it to me.”

Todd said the cause of the fire is unknown.

As a crew from Taylor Construction & Restoration boarded up the house, Smith said he is anxious to get more details.

“There was a big party,” Smith said. “There was some real questionable issues about how this fire started.”

Contact Daily Kent Stater editor Jackie Valley at [email protected]..