An 80 year-old Bellevue woman died from burn and smoke inhalation injuries after an early morning condominium fire. Bellevue fire department crews found her inside her unit near the front door after responding to the Hidden Creek Condominiums in the 12700 block of Northeast Eighth Street. The fire appears to have started around 2:20 a.m. on a recliner chair in the living room.

The recliner had what appeared to be an electrical heating pad or massage device on it. Fire officials say they don’t know whether that device contributed to the cause of the fire. They added that because the chair was destroyed by the fire, reconstructing a specific cause may be impossible.

Investigators presume that the woman was in bed in a separate room when the fire started. It appears she was making an effort to get out before she was overcome by the smoke and heat.

Fire investigators also reported that there were no working smoke detectors within the unit. There was evidence that smoke detectors were once installed but had been removed, leaving mounting screws on the wall. One smoke detector in the unit was found on a desk with the battery inserted backwards and another detector was lacking a battery altogether.

The building’s automatic alarm notified emergency dispatches of the fire. Smoke from the fire made it into the common hallway of the complex and activated the alarm system. No residents reported seeing smoke or flames prior to the arrival of fire units. However, with alarm bells ringing throughout the building, an evacuation was already underway.

The condo was one of 36 units in a three-story building. The fire was confined to just one unit. All residents were allowed back into the building after fire crews finished up their work.

Fire officials say the case reinforces the importance of having a working smoke detector. A working fire detector should be:

In areas providing access to sleeping areas;

In every sleeping room;

On every level of the dwelling.