A duplex fire in Yelm caused by a candle reportedly led to an AC unit explosion, says SE Thurston Fire Authority.
YELM, Wash. — A window-mounted air conditioning unit reportedly exploded Saturday during a fire at a duplex in Yelm, according to the SE Thurston Fire Authority.
Fire officials said crews were told a candle caught a bedroom on fire before flames involved the AC unit, which exploded. The Thurston County Fire Marshal believes the fire heated a pressurized component inside the AC unit to the point where it could no longer contain its pressure, and it burst.
Firefighters from SE Thurston Fire Authority, Lacey Fire District 3, South Thurston Fire & Rescue, and East Olympia Fire Department responded to the scene near 103rd Avenue. The Yelm Police Department also helped evacuate residents from a neighboring unit.
When crews arrived, they found heavy smoke and flames coming from one side of the small duplex. The fire had spread slightly into the attic area before firefighters were able to put it out.
The Red Cross was called to assist the displaced family.
No residents or firefighters were injured, but some pets died in the fire.
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