Just after midnight on June 19, 2025, a fast-moving fire broke out in the Ridgecrest Apartments in Hazel Dell, Washington. The blaze quickly grew following a series of explosions, leaving one person dead, one hospitalized, and at least 10 families permanently displaced.
The identities of the person killed and injured have not been identified, but reports indicate that a woman sustained second-degree burns and was taken to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center.
At this time, the Clark County Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire, and the Red Cross is offering temporary lodging to the families who were displaced by the fire. However, these residents, whose homes have been destroyed, have likely lost everything.
Get Help From Leading Apartment Fire Lawyers
Under these circumstances, those affected by the fire, whether they have lost their homes or their loved one, may benefit from speaking with an experienced fire lawyer.
Singleton Schreiber has been helping victims of devastating fires since 2007. Their attorneys understand the needs people have after a fire and can help connect them to essential resources and fight for compensation for their losses.
According to founding partner Gerald Singleton, “ Losing your home in a fire is devastating, but the losses can go far beyond property damage. People affected may have suffered serious injury, stress and mental anguish, lost income or irreplaceable keepsakes.” Singleton continued, “And, in the case of the Ridgecrest Apartment fire, a family has lost a loved one forever. Unfortunately, in these situations, even those with insurance rarely recover what they are entitled to without the help of a law firm like ours.”
If you were affected by the Ridgecrest Apartment fire in Hazel Dell, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. This can include:
Housing and Living Expenses
This may include hotel stays, short-term rentals, compensation for the inability to live in or use your apartment, and increased cost of living expenses. In this case, as many as 10 families have been permanently displaced and are likely experiencing significant costs and disruption to their lives.
Medical Expenses and Pain and Suffering
While initial reports indicate that only one person was hospitalized, it may be the case that others suffered burns, inhalation injury, or physical injury during the evacuation. It is important that those affected seek medical treatment. This may also include the psychological harm that the fire inflicted, potentially leaving residents with PTSD or severe anxiety.
Wrongful Death
For the family that lost their loved one, compensation may be available for funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support or companionship, and grief and suffering. Of course, no amount of money can replace a loved one, but it can help ease the financial burden of the loss.
Property Damage
This can include personal belongings such as electronics, furniture, clothing, appliances, documents, keepsakes, or other valuables. It can also include vehicle damage if a resident’s car was damaged or destroyed by the fire.
Who Is Responsible for the Ridgecrest Apartment Fire?
At this time, the cause of the fire on Northeast 104th Street is under investigation. While liability cannot be determined until the investigation is complete, entities that are often responsible for such fires include:
- Landlords or property managers, when code violations, poor maintenance, or negligence are involved.
- Utility companies or contractors, if power transmission, installation, or servicing contributed to the blaze.
- Product manufacturers, if a faulty appliance, product, or wiring caused the fire.
However, residents don’t have to wait for the investigation to be completed to seek legal assistance. The sooner you talk to an attorney, the sooner you may be able to mitigate your losses, plan a path forward, and recover from this tragic incident.
