Magnified sunlight likely cause of fire

Published 6:28 pm Monday, May 18, 2009

UPDATE: Includes video from Bellevue resident

Bellevue fire investigators suspect sunlight was the cause of a fire that destroyed a deck and kitchen in an East Bellevue home Sunday. It appears that a glass bowl, partially filled with water and elevated on a wire rack in a sunny area of the home’s deck provided the right conditions to focus the sunlight and start a fire.

The fire occurred at 2:54 p.m., on the 17100 block of Northeast Fifth Street. The homeowners were away from the house when neighbors noticed flames and smoke.

Bellevue firefighters were able to extinguish the fire without injuries, and the family dog was rescued, but damage to the home is estimated at about $215,000.